Anne Mari Juppo

Evaluation of solid dispersion particles prepared with SEDS.

Formation of solid solution particles in the Solution Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical fluids (SEDS) process from a model drug and two different types of carriers, mannitol and Eudragit E100 was evaluated. The crystal properties of samples and molecular interactions were investigated with DSC and FTIR, respectively. The effect of co-crystallisation of drug and mannitol on dissolution rate was studied. Even if a true one-phase solid dispersion was not obtained, the crystal structure of both drug and mannitol was mutually affected by the presence of the other. The drug was not in highly crystalline form in the co-precipitates. The interactions between the drug and mannitol could also be identified as hydrogen bonding between the amine or hydroxyl groups of the drug and the hydroxyl groups of mannitol. These interactions and changes in the crystal structure are probably directly related to the increase in the dissolution rate observed. A true solid solution was obtained when the drug was co-processed with Eudragit E100. A clear interaction between the acid hydroxyl group of the drug and the basic carbonyl group on the Eudragit E100 was observed. SEDS was shown to be an effective process for forming intimate blends and solid solutions for the drug and two different types of carriers.

Evaluation of controlled-release polar lipid microparticles

The aim of the present study was to prepare controlled-release tablets of poorly-soluble drug, felodipine, and various erodable lipophilic excipients. Spray chilling was used to formulate the drug and the excipients into solid dispersion microparticles, which were then compressed. The microparticles were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hot-stage microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and image analysis. The amine and the carbonyl groups of felodipine formed hydrogen bonds with the carriers. The shape of the particles was spherical with the median particle diameter ranging from 25 to 35 microm. Surprisingly, the degree of crystallinity in felodipine and the ease of tablet disintegration played a more significant role on the felodipine dissolution rate than the matrix lipophilicity. Felodipine release rate was slowest from the least lipophilic tablets.

Evaluation of polar lipid–hydrophilic polymer microparticles

The aim of the present study was to prepare controlled-release tablets of poorly-soluble drug, felodipine. Spray chilling was used to formulate the drug, the polar lipids and the hydrophilic polymers into solid dispersion microparticles, which were then compressed. The microparticles were characterised by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, X-ray powder diffraction, hot-stage microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and image analysis. The crystallinity of felodipine had decreased in all the samples, and the amount of crystalline felodipine varied depending on the composition of the solid dispersion. The particles were spherical with the median particle diameter ranging from 20 to 35 microm. The addition of hydrophilic polymer into the matrix widened the particle size distribution and increased the amount of agglomerates. Most promising dissolution patterns were obtained from tablets containing glycerides; e.g. from Precirol ATO 5/Pluronic F127 tablets the release was of zero order.

Rheological characterization of microcrystalline cellulose and silicified microcrystalline cellulose wet masses using a mixer torque rheometer.

The rheological properties of silicified microcrystalline cellulose (Prosolv 50) were compared with those of standard grades of microcrystalline cellulose (Emcocel 50 and Avicel PH 101). Cellulose samples were analyzed using nitrogen adsorption together with particle size, flowability, density and swelling volume studies. The rheological behaviour of the wet powder masses was studied as a function of mixing time using a mixer torque rheometer (MTR). Silicified microcrystalline cellulose exhibited improved flow characteristics and increased specific surface area compared to standard microcrystalline cellulose grades. Although the silicification process affected the swelling properties and, furthermore, the mixing kinetics of microcrystalline cellulose, the source of the microcrystalline cellulose had a stronger influence than silicification on the liquid requirement at peak torque.

Characterisation of blends of paracetamol and citric acid

The purpose of this study was to characterise physically stable amorphous blends that were sticky (low glass transition temperature) in ambient conditions. The effects of composition, melting time and melting temperature were evaluated with respect to physical and chemical property. Citric acid anhydrate and paracetamol were melt‐quenched as binary mixtures and as pure materials. Bulk samples were characterised by differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffractometry, and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composition and the sample exposure to moisture affected significantly the physical stability of samples. The extreme melting conditions, coupled with long exposure to heat and a high melting temperature, lowered the overall crystallisation rate. Paracetamol had a stronger tendency to crystallise from the blends than did citric acid. The 50:50% (w/w) blend was physically stable for at least 27 weeks in dry conditions and was partly crystalline after 4 weeks of storage at a relative humidity of 43%. The result of the physical stability of blends is discussed in terms of hydrogen bonding interaction between paracetamol and citric acid and in relation to degradation products formed in a mixing state.

Measurement of pharmaceutical particles using a time-of-flight particle sizer

The Aerosizer is an instrument for time-of-flight measurement, which is widely used in particle size determinations. The results of various studies indicate that there are still some problems related to the optimization of the analysis conditions. In this study, the behaviour of a set of different kinds of pharmaceutical particles during Aerosizer measurements was studied. An Aerosizer LD equipment with an Aero-Disperser was validated with particle size standards. Volume particle size distributions of particles with different size and shape characteristics were determined (PVP, Celphere, lactose, a drug substance, PHB microparticles). The aim was to investigate the effects of the shear force and deagglomeration levels during the dispersion of the particles on the particle size distributions that were obtained. The results of this study indicate that the ability of the instrument to disperse particles is highly dependent on the properties of the materials. According to the validation measurements, the instrument gives accurate results for spherical, uncohesive particles. The capability of the dispersing unit to separate particles aerodynamically was well observed with PVP. Time-of-flight measurements were uncomplicated for relatively large particles, such as Celphere, which have little interaction with each other and with the instrument housing. For lactose, increasing shear force rates resulted in size distributions with larger particle sizes. In the case of the PHB microparticles the results indicated that the aggregates became smaller and particles were partly separated to primary particles with all shear force levels.