Extraction and characterization of opuntia stricta cladodes mucilage as pharmaceutical excipient

This study deals with extraction and characterization of mucilage extracted from cladodes of Cactus () as pharmaceutical excipient. With the use Acetone based extraction method, the yield of mucilage was found to be 1.44%. Characterization of the extracted mucilage was done by various parameters such as micromeritic studies, flow behavior, organoleptic properties, surface tension and viscosity, loss on drying, ash value and swelling index. The result showed that extracted mucilage exhibited good flow properties (Angle of repose 25.30°), the surface tension of 2.85% w/v solutions of mucilage was found to be 70.20 N/m, total ash was 28.33% w/w, loss on drying was 13% and pH was found to be in the range of 7.2-7.4. Extracted mucilage was soluble in warm water and slightly soluble in cold water while insoluble in organic solvents except chloroform. Phytochemical screening and powder characteristics of extracted mucilage powder of cladodes showed that it can be safely used in dosage form without causing any adverse effect.