Troubleshooting and FAQs for LYCATAB® range

LYCATAB® C-LM has good binder/disintegrant properties in direct compression. Its low moisture content makes it particularly interesting for moisture sensitive APIs.

LYCATAB® PGS is a fully pregelatinized maize starch specially developed as a binder for wet granulation. LYCATAB® C, CT and C-LM are more suitable for direct compression with disintegrant and binder properties.

Fully pregelatinized starch like LYCATAB® PGS is prefered to partially pregelatined starch to be used as binder in wet granulation to guarantee quick hydration together with highest binding properties.

LYCATAB® PGS is blended in the powder form with the powder mix to be granulated. Only water is sprayed during the granulation step. There is no need of prior dissolution of the binder in water.

To achieve the appropriate cold water solubility, starch needs a cooking step. This step is sensitive and could lead to trouble when not properly done.
LYCATAB® PGS has the optimum cooking degree to provide instantaneous hydration together with high binding properties.

LYCATAB® C, CT and C-LM are partially pregelatinized starches. Contrary to full pregelatinization, partial pregelatinization does not fully destroy the semi-crystalline structure of native starch. This physical transformation of starch leads to improved flowability and binding capacity while keeping disintegrant properties.

The difference between fully and partially pregelatinized starches lies in the cooking degree of the starch. The pregelatinization process consists in destroying the semi-crystalline structure of native starch. The higher the cooking degree, the lower the crystallinity of starch and the higher its cold water solubility. Full pregelatinization thus leads to a fully amorphous starch.

LYCATAB® PGS recommended concentration of use is between 3% and 9% of the total weight of the powder to be granulated.

LYCATAB® DSH is a maltodextrin whereas LYCATAB® PGS, C, CT and C-LM are starches. 
LYCATAB® DSH is a maltodextrin used as binder in wet granulation.
LYCATAB® PGS is a fully pregelatinized starch and LYCATAB® C, CT and C-LM are partially pregelatinized starches. This difference in the pregelatinization degree will lead to differences in their cold water solubility (LYCATAB® PGS being the most soluble). LYCATAB® PGS is used as binder in wet granulation whereas LYCATAB® C, CT and C-LM are suitable for direct compression with disintegrant and binder properties, and in hard gelatin capsule filling. 

LYCATAB® C-LM is a low moisture content grade. It is particularly interesting for moisture sensitive APIs.

LYCATAB® C, CT and C-LM are suitable for direct compression. They present both disintegrant and binder properties.

The only alternative to the market reference is LYCATAB® CT.