Formulation Development and Performance Assessment of Banana Powder Floating Tablet

Abstract

The present investigation focuses on the formulation and comprehensive evaluation of a novel gastroretentive floating tablet based on banana powder, designed to increase the gastric residence time of the drug and prolong the therapeutic action. Floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) offer a promising strategy to improve the bioavailability of drugs or nutrients that exhibit preferential absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract or show instability under intestinal conditions. Banana (Musa acuminata), a rich source of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, resistant starch, and fructooligosaccharides, was selected for its documented gastroprotective, prebiotic, and antioxidant properties.
Floating tablets were prepared by the wet granulation technique using xanthan gum and acacia gum as hydrophilic matrix forming polymers, sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent, and starch and talc as pharmaceutical excipients. The developed formulations were systematically evaluated for physicochemical parameters including hardness, friability, thickness, weight variation, in vitro buoyancy and swelling behavior. The tablets exhibited satisfactory mechanical strength (hardness: 5.68 ± 0.15 kg/cm²; friability: 0.62%), uniform thickness (4.12 ± 0.02 mm), and acceptable weight variation within pharmacopoeial limits. Effective buoyancy and gastric retention were confirmed for both short term (52 seconds) and longer term (>12 hours) durations. The swelling index (78% at 6 hours) demonstrated controlled hydration and matrix integrity, supporting sustained release behavior.
The findings highlight the potential of a banana-based natural polymer system as a safe, cost-effective, and gastroprotective floating drug delivery platform. This study provides a scientific basis for the development of plant-based gastroretentive formulations with advanced therapeutic and nutraceutical applications.