This study was aimed at investigating the effects of formulation on flowability of selected
herbal powders which include Labisia pumila, Ortosiphon stamineus, Eurycoma longifolia
and Andrographis paniculata using compendial methods and a recently available powder
flow analyser. The material properties such as moisture content, particles sizes, tap and bulk
densities of the pure herbal powders and the formulated powders were measured to determine
Carr index and Hausner ratio which were indices of the compendial methods. Cohesion
index and caking strength were used as basis of flowability indicator using the powder flow
analyser. The flowability of the herbal powders were improved when they were formulated into
beverages mix by mixing each herbal powders with other ingredients like sugar and nondairy
creamer before analyzed using both the compendial methods and powder flow analyser. Both
methods of flowability measurements adopted in this work complemented each other in the
understanding and characterization of powder flowability.
The tableting properties of Labisia pumila herbal powder, which is well known for its therapeutic benefits was investigated. The herbal powder was compressed into tablets using a stainless steel cylindrical uniaxial die of 13-mm- diameter with compaction pressures ranging from 7 to 25 MPa. Two feed weights, 0.5 and 1.0 g were used to form tablets. Some empirical models were used to describe the compressibility behavior of Labisia pumila tablets. The strength and density of tablets increased with increase in compaction pressure and resulted in reduction in porosity of the tablets. Smaller feeds, higher forces and increase in compaction pressure, contributed to more coherent tablets. These findings can be used to enhance the approach and understanding of tableting properties of Labisia pumila herbal powder tablets.