Abstract: This study aims to optimize the molding process of Linbitong granules.The forming process of Linbitong granules was optimized using central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM), taking the total optical density (OD) value of the molding rate, angle of repose, hygroscopic rate, and solubility as the evaluation indexes and the excipient dosage, ethanol volume fraction, and ethanol dosage as the investigation factors. Results show that the optimum molding process condition includes a mass ratio of dry paste powder to dextrin of 1:1, ethanol volume fraction of 90.0%, and ethanol dosage of 6.0 g of 90.0% ethanol for every 10.0 g of dry paste powder. The total OD value is 0.7401, which is equivalent to the predicted value of 0.7663.The proposed method has high predictability and stability, and the Linbitong granules prepared using this method have high molding rate, good fluidity, strong antihygroscopicity, and good melting property. This method provides a theoretical reference for the industrial production of such compounds.

Key words: Linbitong granules, central composite design-response surface methodology (CCD-RSM), molding process