Lemon Peel as a Potential Source of Pectin and it's use as Application of Pectin as Binder in the Formulation of Tablets

Present study was aimed to study the use of pectin isolated from the lemon peels and assess its binding property in tablets using febuxostat as a model drug. The lemon peel which is waste part of lemon (Citrus limonis) remained after squeezing and taking the juice, are the potential source of pectin. The peels were shade dried and ground to get powder. The powder was subjected to simple water based blending and pectin was isolated using ethanol. Pectin was analyzed for confirmation. It has shown better binding properties. Tablets of febuxostat were formulated using pectin in different proportions (10, 20, 30 mg) and to compare the binding property of pectin, a reference batch was also formulated using starch as a binding agent instead of isolated pectin. Precompression and post-compression evaluation studies were performed for all formulations and found to be within the range as prescribed in the pharmacopoeias. Friability and disintegrating time of formulation F3 (30 mg of pectin) showed better results when compared to other formulations. In vitro dissolution studies revealed that formulation F3 containing 30 mg of pectin showed 82% drug release. In view of natural origin, better friability, hardness, disintegration time and drug release properties of the pectin formulation, lemon peel pectin can serve as an excellent binder in tablet dosage form.