This study developed easy-to-consume bitter taste-masking granules for the preparation of instant jelly formulations. Composite granules containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) and polymers were prepared via spray drying. The taste-masking effect on DPH was evaluated with acceptable linearity between DPH concentration and intensity of bitterness using an electronic tongue sensor. The results indicated that ι-carrageenan could provide the greatest suppression effect on the DPH bitterness among the polymers selected for preparing spray-dried particles (SDPs). The thixotropic index (TI) of ι-carrageenan was higher than that of the other polymers. In addition, two sulfate groups per two galactose molecules in one unit of ι-carrageenan improved interaction with DPH. Compared to κ-carrageenan, the electrostatic interaction with DPH may be stronger. Easy-to-consume SDPs with ι-carrageenan were used to prepare instant jelly formulations. The instant jelly formulation containing DPH with ι-carrageenan (3.0%) met the criteria for texture properties (hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness) for patients with difficulty swallowing, as specified by the Consumer Affairs Agency. Furthermore, instant jelly enhanced the bitter taste suppression of DPH. Overall, using spray-dried granules with ι-carrageenan, this technique for preparing instant jelly formulations is simple and inhibits the bitter taste of drugs, contributing to the development of oral dosage forms suitable for patients of all ages.
Keywords: electronic taste sensor; gelling agent; spray-drying; texture profile analysis; ι-carrageenan.