International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 15, Issue 2

Comparative Evaluation of Raft Strength and Thickness in Calcium-Based Alginate Formulations for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Management 

Avinash Bhosale1*, Manoj Shinde1, Varsha Mane2, Nikhil Salunkhe1 

1Department of Pharmaceutics, Satara College of Pharmacy, Satara, Maharashtra, India

2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Satara College of Pharmacy, Satara, Maharashtra, India

Received: 14th Mar, 2025; Revised: 20th May, 2025; Accepted: 8th Jun, 2025; Available Online: 25th Jun, 2025 

ABSTRACT

One common gastrointestinal ailment that has a main effect on patients' quality of life is GERD. Raft-forming alginate-based formulations provide a physical barrier against acid reflux, with their efficacy largely dependent on raft strength and thickness. This study aimed to associate raft strength and thickness of six commercially available calcium-based alginate formulations in India to assess their potential effectiveness in GERD management. The study examined six different formulations of antacids that contained sodium alginate (250 mg/5 mL), calcium carbonate (80 mg/5 mL), and sodium bicarbonate (133.5 mg/5 mL): GaviRaft®, InstaRaft®, RanRaft®, RACIRAFTTM, Ranidom® RAFT, and ULGE-RAFTTM.  The modified balancing technique was used to evaluate the raft strength, and a calibrated Vernier caliper was used to quantify the raft thickness.Data were collected from three independent experiments. Among the tested formulations, only Ranidom® RAFT and RanRaft® met the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) standard for raft strength (≥7.5 g), indicating superior mechanical integrity. RanRaft® and GaviRaft® exhibited the highest raft thickness compared to other calcium-based alginate formulations, indicating their potential to form a strong physical barrier against reflux.All the formulations met the criteria for assay of sodium alginate as per BP (86-116%), except for Ranidom® RAFT (129.02%). The study found variations in raft strength and thickness among calcium-based alginate formulations, with RanRaft® achieving an optimal balance. These findings highlight the importance of formulation selection in GERD management. Clinical trials are desirable to authorize these in-vitro results and assess patient outcomes.

Keywords: Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, Calcium-based alginate formulations, Raft strength, Raft thickness, Acid Reflux Barrier

How to cite this article: Avinash Bhosale, Manoj Shinde, Varsha Mane, Nikhil Salunkhe. Comparative Evaluation of Raft Strength and Thickness in Calcium-Base Alginate Formulations for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Management. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology. 2025;15(2):790-95. doi: 10.25258/ijddt.15.2.54

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