Development and pharmaceutical performance of a novel co-processed excipient of alginic acid and microcrystalline cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose from soybean hull as an excipient in solid dosage forms: Preparation, powder characterization, and tableting properties

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is one of the essential functional excipients in the formulation of tablets. The need for cheaper MCC sources has drawn significant attention to exploring renewable sources. In this study, MCC was produced from soybean hull (SBH), the primary by-product of the soy industry, using a novel, simplified, and cost-effective approach. Various characterization techniques were used to study the physicochemical properties and micromeritics of the SBH-based MCC powders and compare them to those of the commercial Avicel PH-101. SBH MCCs had a larger particle size, a broader particle size distribution, a higher degree of polymerization, a higher degree of crystallinity, better thermal stability, and slightly superior flowability and compressibility than Avicel PH-101. The tableting blends (containing 60 % MCC) were prepared, and the post-compression out-of-die Heckel analysis showed that formulations with aggregated SBH MCCs were less ductile than those made with Avicel PH-101, resulting in a lower porosity (better compressibility) of the latter at higher compression pressures. The hardness values for all formulations were above 6 kg, with higher values for those made with Avicel PH-101. The lubricant sensitivity was lower for SBH MCCs. All tablets made using developed formulations showed very low friability (<0.1 %) and short disintegration times (<90 s), making them well-suited candidates for manufacturing orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs).

Premix technologies for drug delivery: manufacturing, applications, and opportunities in regulatory filing

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients can be carefully combined in premix-based materials before being added to dosage forms, providing a flexible platform for the improvement of drug bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance. This is a promising and transformative approach in novel and generic product development, offering both the potential to overcome challenges in the delivery of complex APIs and viable solutions for bypassing patent hurdles in generic product filing. We discuss the different types of premixes; manufacturing technologies such as spray drying, hot melt extrusion, wet granulation, co-crystal, co-milling, co-precipitation; regulatory filing opportunities; and major bottlenecks in the use of premix materials in different aspects of pharmaceutical product development.

Alginate-modified surfactants functionalized metal-organic framework-based fluorescent film sensors for detection and adsorption of volatile aldehydes in water

Volatile aldehydes have an adverse impact on both human health and the environment, therefore, a fast, straightforward, highly accurate detection technique for the simultaneous detection and removal of several aldehydes is eagerly anticipated. Herein, novel APGF@ZIF-8 and APOF@ZIF-8 sensing materials were developed by coating fluorescent alginate-modified surfactants (APGF and APOF) into the ZIF-8 MOFs to produce quite porous fluorescent sensors (SBET up to 1519 m2/g). The detection capacity of the prepared sensors for benzaldehyde, glyoxal, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde has been examined. The detection mechanism was suggested as hydrogen bonding formation between the sensors and volatile aldehydes as confirmed by Gaussian calculations. All the fluorescence spectra of aldehydes display remarkable linear detection relationships in the range of 0.05-200 μM with the limits of detection (LOD) values in the range of 0.001-0.18 μM (0.106-10.44 ppb). These sensors were utilized successfully to detect multiple volatile aldehydes in river water samples with satisfactory recoveries of 96-107 %. Interestingly, fluorescent APGF@ZIF-8/CS and APOF@ZIF-8/CS films as portable disposable removal techniques for benzaldehyde, glyoxal, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde from water were fabricated. APOF@ZIF-8/CS exhibited an excellent formaldehyde adsorption capacity of 58.30 mg/g and an adsorption removal efficiency of 93.5 %. The adsorption process of biosorbent on various aldehydes was fitted by Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The adsorption kinetics followed Pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Updates on applications of low-viscosity grade Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in coprocessing for improvement of physical properties of pharmaceutical powders

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is an important polymeric excipient. Its versatility in terms of molecular weights and viscosity grades is the basis for its wide and successful application in the pharmaceutical industry. Low viscosity grades of HPMC (like E3 and E5) have been used as physical modifiers for pharmaceutical powders in recent years due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties (e.g., low surface tension, high T_g, strong hydrogen bonding ability, etc.). Such modification is the co-processing of HPMC with a drug/excipient to create composite particles (CPs) for the purpose of providing synergistic effects of functional improvement as well as of masking undesirable properties of the powder (e.g., flowability, compressibility, compactibility, solubility, stability, etc.). Therefore, given its irreplaceability and tremendous opportunities for future developments, this review summarized and updated studies on improving the functional properties of drugs and/or excipients by forming CPs with low-viscosity HPMC, analyzed and exploited the improvement mechanisms (e.g., improved surface properties, increased polarity, hydrogen bonding, etc.) for the further development of novel co-processed pharmaceutical powders containing HPMC. It also provides an outlook on the future applications of HPMC, aiming to provide a reference on the crucial role of HPMC in various areas for interested readers.

Alginate-based matrix tablets for drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

As a nature-derived polymer with swelling and gelling properties, alginate has found wide biopharma-relevant applications. However, there is comparatively limited attention on alginate in tablet formulations. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an overview of the applications of alginate in solid dosage form formulations.

AREAS COVERED

This review outlines the role of alginate for oral sustained release formulations. For better insights into its application in drug delivery, the mechanisms of drug release from alginate matrices are discussed alongside the alginate inherent properties and drug properties. Specifically, the influence of alginate properties and formulation components on the resultant alginate gel and subsequent drug release is reviewed. Modifications of the alginate to improve its properties in modulating drug release are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Alginate-based matrix tablets is useful for sustaining drug release. As a nature-derived polymer, batch consistency and stability raise some concerns about employing alginate in formulations. Furthermore, the alginate gel properties can be affected by formulation components, pH of the dissolution environment and the tablet matrix micro-environment pH. Conscientious efforts are pivotal to addressing these formulation challenges to increase the utilization of alginate in oral solid dosage forms.

Co-processed tablet excipient composition, its preparation and use: US10071059 B2: patent spotlight

Co-processing involves the incorporation of one excipients into the particle structure of other excipients to overcome the deficiencies of each excipients. The current patent describes the co-processing of microcrystalline cellulose and mannitol via fluid bed agglomeration with an aim to limit the use of lubricant in tablet composition. The co-processed excipients blend was compared with the physical blend of excipients and characterized for scanning electron microscopy, disintegration and hardness. The average particle size of co-processed excipients was less than 0.55 mm, characterized by large individual lactose coated particles whereas, the physical blend particles are uncoated and irregular in shape. Tablets made from both physical blend and co-processed excipients were compared. As per the hardness and disintegration studies, with increase in mixing time of excipients both hardness and disintegration time decreases.

Sustainable Approaches to Selective Conversion of Cellulose Into 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Promoted by Heterogeneous Acid Catalysts: A Review

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) as a triply catalytic product is a value-added refining chemical in industry production. 5-HMF as biomass feedstock enables to be transformed into other high-value industrial compounds, such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA), 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA), 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), 2,5-bis(aminomethyl)furan (BAMF), and 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). Hence, catalytic conversion of biomass into 5-HMF has been given much more attention by chemists. In this review, some latest studies about the conversion of cellulose to 5-HMF have been introduced systematically. Solid acids such as heterogeneous catalysts have been widely applied in the conversion of cellulose into 5-HMF. Therefore, some novel solid acids with Brønsted and/or Lewis acidic sites, such as sulfonated solid acids, carbon-based acids, and zeolite particles employed for biomass conversions are listed.

New alginic acid derivatives ester for methylene blue dye adsorption: kinetic, isotherm, thermodynamic, and mechanism study

In this paper, the application of ester materials prepared by grafting different carbon chain lengths of diols in alginic acid (AA) by a simple, fast and efficient method for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) is studied. The AA ester derivatives are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Zeta potential before and after MB adsorption. This study shows a significant improvement in the adsorption capacity of MB by AA after its esterification with a Q_max value up to 454.545 mg/g for the best adsorbent "Poly(AA-g-EG)". The experimental data are studied according to two isothermal models (Langmuir and Freundlich) and two kinetic models (pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion). The adsorption of MB is also evaluated thermodynamically. An adsorption mechanism of MB is established.

An update on microcrystalline cellulose in direct compression: Functionality, critical material attributes, and co-processed excipients

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is one of the most popular cellulose derivatives in the pharmaceutical industry. Thanks to its outstanding tabletability, MCC is generally included in direct compression (DC) tablet formulations containing poor-tabletability active pharmaceutical ingredients. Nowadays, numerous grades of MCC from various brands are accessible for pharmaceutical manufacturers, leading to variability in MCC properties. Hence, it seems to be worthy and urgent to evaluate the influences of MCC variability on tablet quality and to identify critical material attributes (CMAs) based on the idea of Quality by Control. Besides, MCC-based co-processed excipients can effectively combine the functions of the filler, binder, disintegrant, lubricant, glidant, or flavor, and thus have drawn extensive interest. In this review, we focused specifically on the recent advances and development of MCC on DC tableting, including the functions in tablet formulations, potential CMAs, and MCC-based co-possessed excipients, therefore providing a reference for further studies.

Study of rheological and tableting properties of lubricated mixtures of co-processed dry binders for orally disintegrating tablets

Co-processed dry binders for ODTs are important multifunctional excipients for tablet manufacturing by direct compression. Testing their binary mixtures with lubricants is an important aspect of their use in combination with drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rheological and compression properties of lubricated mixtures of co-processed dry binders Parteck® ODT, Prosolv® ODT G2 and Ludiflash®, and subsequently also the compactability and disintegration time of the tablets made thereof. The lubricants employed were magnesium stearate and sodium stearyl fumarate in the concentrations of 0.5% and 1%. The best flowability was shown by Prosolv® ODT G2 combined with magnesium stearate in the concentration of 0.5%. Lubricated mixtures with Prosolv® ODT G2 showed a lower angle of internal friction as well as lower pre-compression energy values. The values of plastic deformation energy were the highest in the case of Prosolv® ODT G2, which was also reflected in the highest tablet strength. On the contrary, the ejection force values were the lowest for this co-processed dry binder. Magnesium stearate reduced the ejection force more effectively than sodium stearyl fumarate. Prosolv® ODT G2 tablets exhibited the highest tensile strength and shortest disintegration time.

A critical review on the techniques used for the synthesis and applications of crystalline cellulose derived from agricultural wastes and forest residues

In order to meet the growing energy crisis of the 21st century, the utilization of bio-based materials has become a field of high research endeavour. In view of that, the present review paper is focused on different techniques that are frequently explored for the synthesis of value-added crystalline derivatives of cellulose like MCC and NCC from agricultural wastes and forest residues. Moreover, a comparative analysis between thermochemical and biochemical methods is carried out for such valorization of biomass considering the mechanism involved with various reactions. Further, a critical analysis is performed on various individual techniques specifically used for the applications of MCC and NCC in different fields including environmental, polymer industry, pharmaceutical and other emerging sectors. This article will assist the readers not only to explore new biomass sources but also provides an in-depth insight on various green and cost-effective methods for sustainable production of crystalline cellulose.

Removal of Zn(II) and Ni(II) heavy metal ions by new alginic acid-ester derivatives materials

The present work concerns the preparation of new materials based on alginic acid (AA) and diols in a facile and efficient process by improving the adsorption properties of Zn(II) and Ni(II) metal ions on the modified AA. The materials were analysed by zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), in addition to the Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) before and after the adsorption behaviour was conducted. The results show that the esterification of AA with diols of different lengths significantly improves its adsorption efficiency of Zn(II) and Ni(II) with Q_max up to 200 mg/g and 185.185 mg/g respectively. Equilibrium and kinetic studies showed that the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models fit the experimental data well, and followed a pseudo-first order kinetic model and the particle diffusion model with correlation coefficients R² ≈ 1.

Sodium alginate and alginic acid as pharmaceutical excipients for tablet formulation: Structure-function relationship

Alginic acid and its sodium salt are well-accepted pharmaceutical excipients fulfilling several roles in the development of solid oral dosage forms. Although they have attractive advantages as safety, abundance, relatively low cost and biodegradability, these natural polysaccharides possess a high variability that may limit their use as excipients for tablet formulation. Thus, to obtain robust formulations and high-quality drug products with consistent performance a complete understanding of the structure-property relationship becomes necessary as the structure of alginates affects both, technological and biopharmaceutical properties. This review compiles the compaction studies carried out that relate the structure of alginates to their mechanical and dissolution performances. The different analytical methods used to determine the chemical composition, primary structure and molecular weight distribution, major factors affecting the behavior of alginates in direct compression, are also exposed. Finally, different strategies reported to improve the properties of alginic acid as direct compression excipient are discussed.

Application of Machine-Learning Algorithms for Better Understanding of Tableting Properties of Lactose Co-Processed with Lipid Excipients

Co-processing (CP) provides superior properties to excipients and has become a reliable option to facilitated formulation and manufacturing of variety of solid dosage forms. Development of directly compressible formulations with high doses of poorly flowing/compressible active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as paracetamol, remains a great challenge for the pharmaceutical industry due to the lack of understanding of the interplay between the formulation properties, process of compaction, and stages of tablets’ detachment and ejection. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the compression load, excipients’ co-processing and the addition of paracetamol on the obtained tablets’ tensile strength and the specific parameters of the tableting process, such as (net) compression work, elastic recovery, detachment, and ejection work, as well as the ejection force. Two types of neural networks were used to analyze the data: classification (Kohonen network) and regression networks (multilayer perceptron and radial basis function), to build prediction models and identify the variables that are predominantly affecting the tableting process and the obtained tablets’ tensile strength. It has been demonstrated that sophisticated data-mining methods are necessary to interpret complex phenomena regarding the effect of co-processing on tableting properties of directly compressible excipients.

Seaweed Polysaccharide Based Products and Materials: An Assessment on Their Production from a Sustainability Point of View

Among the various natural polymers, polysaccharides are one of the oldest biopolymers present on the Earth. They play a very crucial role in the survival of both animals and plants. Due to the presence of hydroxyl functional groups in most of the polysaccharides, it is easy to prepare their chemical derivatives. Several polysaccharide derivatives are widely used in a number of industrial applications. The polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, etc., have several applications but due to some distinguished characteristic properties, seaweed polysaccharides are preferred in a number of applications. This review covers published literature on the seaweed polysaccharides, their origin, and extraction from seaweeds, application, and chemical modification. Derivatization of the polysaccharides to impart new functionalities by chemical modification such as esterification, amidation, amination, C-N bond formation, sulphation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and graft copolymerization is discussed. The suitability of extraction of seaweed polysaccharides such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate using ionic solvent systems from a sustainability point of view and future prospects for efficient extraction and functionalization of seaweed polysaccharides is also included in this review article.

Performance Evaluation of a Novel Biosourced Co-Processed Excipient in Direct Compression and Drug Release

This study exposes the potential usefulness of a new co-processed excipient, composed of alginic acid and microcrystalline cellulose (Cop AA-MCC), for the preparation of immediate drug release tablets by direct compression. Evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties as well as the disintegration behavior of Cop AA-MCC in comparison to commercial co-processed excipients (Cellactose^®, Ludipress^®, Prosolv^® SMCC HD90 and Prosolv^® ODT) and to the physical mixture of the native excipients (MCC and AA), was carried out. The obtained results illustrate the good performance of Cop AA-MCC in terms of powder flowability, tablet tensile strength, compressibility, and disintegration time. Although, this new co-processed excipient showed a slightly high lubricant sensitivity, which was explained by its more plastic than fragmentary deformation behavior, it presented a low lubricant requirement due to the remarkably low ejection force observed during compression. Compression speed and dwell time seemed not to affect significantly the tabletability of Cop AA-MCC. The study exposed evenly the performance of Cop AA-MCC compared to Prosolv^® ODT, in terms of tabletability and dissolution rate of Melatonin. Cop AA-MCC presented comparable hardness, lower dilution potential, higher lubricant sensitivity, lower ejection force, and faster Melatonin's release time than Prosolv^® ODT. In summary, Cop AA-MCC exhibited interesting physical, mechanical, and biopharmaceutical properties, which demonstrate its concurrence to commercially available co-processed excipients. Furthermore, the simplicity of its composition and the scalability of its elaboration makes this multifunctional excipient highly recommended for direct compression.