Preliminary characterization of food tablets from date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and spirulina (Spirulina sp.) powders

In this work, some physical properties (hardness, friability, disintegration time and erosion) of food tablets containing various food powders obtained from dates (Phoenix dactylifera L), spirulina (Spirulina sp.) and oranges (juice and zest) were investigated. Also, experimental data related to the release kinetic of phycocyanin (antioxidant substance of spirulina) into different liquid mediums correctly fit the Korsmeyer-Peppas model since the coefficient of determination R-2 ranged from 0.84 (HCl 0.1 N solution) to 0.98 (distilled water). So, the date and spirulina powder-based food tablets could be of various uses: 1) consumption as such by all categories of consumers, 2) feeding of patients for whom it is difficult to chew or swallow food, knowing that these tablets can be either sucked or swallowed, and 3) as natural and cheap drug delivery carriers. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.