Protein release from alginate matrices.

Glutaraldehyde possesses unique characteristics that render it one of the most effective protein crosslinking reagents. It can be present in at least 13 different forms depending on solution conditions such as pH, concentration, temperature, etc. Substantial literature is found concerning the use of glutaraldehyde for protein immobilization, yet there is no agreement about the main reactive species that participates in the crosslinking process because monomeric and polymeric forms are in equilibrium. Glutaraldehyde may react with proteins by several means such as aldol condensation or Michael-type addition, and we show here 8 different reactions for various aqueous forms of this reagent. As a result of these discrepancies and the unique characteristics of each enzyme, crosslinking procedures using glutaraldehyde are largely developed through empirical observation. The choice of the enzyme-glutaraldehyde ratio, as well as their final concentration, is critical because insolubilization of the enzyme must result in minimal distortion of its structure in order to retain catalytic activity. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking reagent by describing its structure and chemical properties in aqueous solution in an attempt to explain its high reactivity toward proteins, particularly as applied to the production of insoluble enzymes.

https://www.future-science.com/doi/pdf/10.2144/04375RV01

Glutaraldehyde: behavior in aqueous solution, reaction with proteins, and application to enzyme crosslinking.

Pharmaceutical dosage forms contain both pharmacologically active compounds and excipients added to aid the formulation and manufacture of the subsequent dosage form for administration to patients. Indeed, the properties of the final dosage form (i.e. its bioavailability and stability) are, for the most part, highly dependent on the excipients chosen, their concentration and interaction with both the active compound and each other. No longer can excipients be regarded simply as inert or inactive ingredients, and a detailed knowledge not only of the physical and chemical properties but also of the safety, handling and regulatory status of these materials is essential for formulators throughout the world. In addition, the growth of novel forms of delivery has resulted in an increase in the number of the excipients being used and suppliers of excipients have developed novel coprocessed excipient mixtures and new physical forms to improve their properties. The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients has been conceived as a systematic, comprehensive resource of information ​ on all of these topics. URI http://repositorio.ub.edu.ar/handle/123456789/5143 Collections Libros Farmacia www.ub.edu.ar | biblioteca.ub.edu.ar Contact Us | Send Feedback Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients 

Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients

Chitosan has been investigated as an excipient in the pharmaceutical industry, to be used in direct tablet compression, as a tablet disintegrant, for the production of controlled release solid dosage forms or for the improvement of drug dissolution. Chitosan has, compared to traditional excipients, been shown to have superior characteristics and especially flexibility in its use. Furthermore, chitosan has been used for production of controlled release implant systems for delivery of hormones over extended periods of time. Lately, the transmucosal absorption promoting characteristics of chitosan has been exploited especially for nasal and oral delivery of polar drugs to include peptides and proteins and for vaccine delivery. These properties, together with the very safe toxicity profile, makes chitosan an exciting and promising excipient for the pharmaceutical industry for present and future applications.

Chitosan and Its Use as a Pharmaceutical Excipient

This review covers recent developments in the area of particle engineering via spray drying. The last decade has seen a shift from empirical formulation efforts to an engineering approach based on a better understanding of particle formation in the spray drying process. Microparticles with nanoscale substructures can now be designed and their functionality has contributed significantly to stability and efficacy of the particulate dosage form. The review provides concepts and a theoretical framework for particle design calculations. It reviews experimental research into parameters that influence particle formation. A classification based on dimensionless numbers is presented that can be used to estimate how excipient properties in combination with process parameters influence the morphology of the engineered particles. A wide range of pharmaceutical application examples—low density particles, composite particles, microencapsulation, and glass stabilization—is discussed, with specific emphasis on the underlying particle formation mechanisms and design concepts.

/pdf/pharmaceutical-particle-engineering-via-spray-drying-1wv9pxpwlb.pdf

Pharmaceutical particle engineering via spray drying.

CMC of polysorbates

A method based on an emulsification process was developed for the production of calcium alginate microspheres. Isopropyl alcohol and acetone, which are strong dehydrating agents, were used to aid in the hardening and drying of the microspheres. However, the amount of drug encapsulated was very low. This was due to the drug being soluble in the dehydrating solvents. In the absence of the solvents a high percentage of drug was encapsulated, and this was further increased by forming the microspheres by phase inversion. It was also found that a suspension of the drug particles was required for effective microencapsulation. The efficiency of drug encapsulation generally increased with the ratio of drug to encapsulating material. The microspheres produced were free-flowing and most of them were smaller than 150 microns.

Drug encapsulation in alginate microspheres by emulsification

Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) is widely used for controlled-release preparations. The process of drug release is controlled by matrix swelling and polymer dissolution. This study examines the mechanism of behaviour of HPMC in a polymer-drug directly-compressed matrix. The results obtained show that the swelling of HPMC which can be described by first-order kinetics is affected by concentration and viscosity grade of the polymer. This swelling action of HPMC in turn is controlled by the rate of water uptake into the matrices. An inverse relationship exists between the drug release rate and matrix swelling rate. This implies that HPMC swelling is one of the factors affecting drug release. The swelling behaviour of HPMC is therefore useful in predicting drug release.

Relationship Between Swelling and Drug Release in a Hydrophilic Matrix

Spheronization conditions on spheroid shape and size

An attempt was made to prepare chitosan microspheres by an emulsion-phase separation technique but without the usual use of glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. Instead, ionotropic gelation was employed in a w/o emulsion. The effect of formulation factors was examined. The results showed that microspheres so formed were spherical, free-flowing, and had smooth surfaces. The rate of addition of counterions was important. Gelation of chitosan droplets should take place before the destabilizing effect of the counterions occurred. This effect is associated with the increase in aqueous phase volume when the counterion solution is incorporated.

Lucy S.C. Wan

Papers

CMC of polysorbates

Drug encapsulation in alginate microspheres by emulsification

Relationship Between Swelling and Drug Release in a Hydrophilic Matrix

Spheronization conditions on spheroid shape and size

Chitosan Microspheres Prepared by Emulsification and Ionotropic Gelation