Formulation and quality assessment of fast-disintegrating multi-herbal effervescent beverage tablets using coconut sugar as a natural binder: A review

Abstract

Fast-disintegrating effervescent tablets have gained attention as convenient nutraceutical delivery systems due to their rapid dissolution, enhanced bioavailability, and consumer acceptability. This review focuses on the formulation and quality assessment of multi-herbal effervescent beverage tablets using coconut sugar as a natural binder. Coconut sugar offers functional advantages including natural sweetness, mineral content, low glycemic index, and binding properties, making it a promising alternative to synthetic excipients. The review discusses selection of herbal extracts, effervescent components, formulation strategies, and critical parameters such as moisture control, compressibility, and stability. Quality evaluation aspects including pre-compression properties, hardness, friability, effervescence time, pH, organoleptic characteristics, and shelf stability are highlighted. The integration of herbal bioactives with natural binders supports the development of clean-label, consumer-friendly functional beverages. Overall, coconut sugar-based effervescent tablets represent a sustainable and innovative approach in the nutraceutical and functional beverage industry.