Physico-Chemical and Mineralogical Characterizations of Tchiky Clays (Thies, Senegal) for Pharmaceutical Uses

Our study focused on the valuation of Tchiky clays. This work aims to evaluate its properties to explore possible uses in pharmacy. Physico-chemical and mineralogical characterizations were carried out, as well as pharmacopoeial tests and an evaluation of the antioxidant activity. Thus, chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry gave silicon (55.65%), iron (15.73%), aluminum (13.53%), potassium (6.05%), titanium (3.98%), magnesium (2.10%), and calcium (0.82%). X-ray diffraction showed the presence of kaolinite, quartz and illite. This study also revealed that the sample studied was essentially a plastic clay of hard consistency, with average flowability. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity gave a percentage inhibition of 62.97% for a concentration of 7.5 g/l with an IC50 of 5.5 g/l. These results should allow use as an excipient in pharmacy, particularly in liquid, semi-liquid and pasty formulations.