Evaluation of Properties of Chewable Gel Tablets with Nutmeg Essential Oil

Abstract

Background. Chewable gel tablets have a gel base and are similar to gummies. Gel-based tablets are usually prepared by using silicones or metal forms. These tablets contain water, a vast amount of sugar, and active ingredients (usually vitamins and extracts) in their composition. Active substances such as essential oils and microcapsules are a new field in gel-based tablets. Aim. The aim of this study was to create chewable gel tablets with nutmeg essential oil and its microcapsules and evaluate their physical properties. Methods. Nutmeg essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation. Microcapsules with essential oil were prepared by lyophilization (emulsion composition for microcapsules: 25% nutmeg essential oil, 15% excipients, 60% water). Chewable gel tablets (three series: control (9% gelatine, 18% water, 68.5% thyme syrup,2.5% thyme extract, 2% citric acid solution), with nutmeg essential oil (0.469%) and with microcapsules(3.75%)) were prepared by using silicone forms, and firmness, hardness, springiness, and stickiness were evaluated by texture analyser TA.XT. plus. Measuring was repeated 3 times and an average with a standard deviation is presented. Also, mass variation of gel tablets after day, week, and month were measured (n=10).Results. Chewable gel tablets’ masses after one day were 3.32±0.14, 3.55±0.09, and 3.64±0.05 g (control, tablets with essential oil and with microcapsules, respectively). After a month, the mass change dabout 22.41±6.17%, p<0.05. Firmness and hardness after one day were 700.58±12.66-1407.70±51.07 g and 501.44±18.24-1104.62±101.79 g (the least hard tablets were from the control group, the most – with microcapsules). After a month, the results were opposite and tablets with essential oil and its microcapsules had better parameters. The smallest changes in elasticity (about 42%) were observed in tablets with microcapsules, also, they had the lowest stickiness, results were compared after one month. Conclusion. Freshly prepared control gel tablets have the best properties of texture, described by firmness and hardness parameters. However, after one-month, nutmeg essential oil and its microcapsules protected gel-based tablets from strong hardening, and the quality of these two samples’ was better.