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2733497 
Journal Article 
Direct visualization of superdisintegrant hydration using environmental scanning electron microscopy 
Thibert, R; Hancock, BC 
1996 
Yes 
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
ISSN: 0022-3549
EISSN: 1520-6017 
IPA/97/1132383 
Pharm 
REF 11 
1255-1258 
English 
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The direct observation of hydration behavior of 3 superdisintegrant powders, croscarmellose sodium (Ac-Di-Sol), crospovidone (Kollidon CL), and sodium starch glycolate (Explotab) using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) is described. The technique provided direct visual confirmation of the importance of swelling as a mechanism of action for croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate. Additionally, it indicated that crospovidone does not undergo any large degree of swelling during hydration in its native state. Other modes of action could not be directly confirmed; however, it was observed that the morphological changes for each material were unique, suggesting different modes of superdisintegrant action for each excipient. It was concluded that the morphological properties of pharmaceutical materials in their near native states can be readily determined as a function of relative humidity and temperature using ESEM.