Recent development on core-shell photo(electro)catalysts for elimination of organic compounds from pharmaceutical wastewater

Pharmaceutical organics are a vital milestone in contemporary human research since they treat various diseases and improve the quality of human life. However, these organic compounds are considered one of the major environmental hazards after the conception, along with the massive rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in an ecosystem. There are various biological and catalytic technologies existed to eliminate these organics in aqueous system with their limitation. Advanced Oxidation processes (AOPs) are used to decompose these pharmaceutical organic compounds in the wastewater by generating reactive species with high oxidation potential. This review focused various photocatalysts, and photocatalytic oxidation processes, especially core-shell materials for photo (electro)catalytic application in pharmaceutical wastewater decomposition. Moreover, we discussed in details about the design and recent developments of core shell catalysts and comparison for photocatalytic, electrocatalytic and photo electrocatalytic applications in pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. In addition, the mixture of inorganic and organic core-shell materials, and metal-organic framework-based core-shell catalysts discussed in detail for antibiotic degradation.

Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Elvitegravir-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Solubility and Dissolution Rate

Purpose: To enhance the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of elvitegravir (EVG) by formulating the drug as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) using solvent injection method.Methods: EVG-loaded SLNs were prepared by solvent injection method. Four different formulations of SLN were prepared using gelucire - 44/14 as lipid core in ethanol, soya lecithin as emulsifier, and polysorbate 80 as surfactant in the aqueous phase. The SLNs were characterized for various physical properties, including particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity, release profile and entrapment efficiency.Results: The yield of SLNs was in the range 151.0 ± 2.4 to 199.1 ± 2.7 nm. Significant changes were observed in mean particle size (nm), Z - potential (mV) and polydispersity index (PDI) of the SLNs by varying the  concentration of cryoprotectant. EVG – SLNs demonstrated a 800 – 1030-fold enhancement in aqueous solubility compared with plain EVG. The dissolution efficiency (DE) for SLNs was > 63 % in all cases and increased up to 83 % with increasing lipid load.Conclusion: Successful preparation and characterization of elvitegravir–loaded solid lipid nanoparticles by solvent injection method has been accomplished in this study.Keywords: Elvitegravir, Solid lipid nanoparticles, Cryoprotectant, Lipid load, Entrapment efficiency

Use of Stage-Wise AQbD and an Orthogonality Approach to Develop a Short-Runtime Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Bosentan and Impurities using UPLC Equipped with PDA and ESI-MS

Analytical quality by design (AQbD) and method orthogonality are comprehensive tools used to develop an analytical method based on statistical and graphical evaluation. These tools provide complete knowledge of the method and help to develop precise, accurate, and specific methods. The present work elaborates the development of a selective and precise method for the quantification of bosentan and its nine impurities with a short runtime of 10 min using a statistically driven stage-wise AQbD approach with proven orthogonality. The optimum method was developed using 10 mM ammonium acetate pH 2.5 and acetonitrile in a gradient mode on an Agilent Zorbax Bonus RP RRHD 100 × 2.1 mm and 1.8 μm column with a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min at a column temperature of 40 °C. The robustness of the method was proven for the normal operating range (NOR) using Monte Carlo stimulations. The method was challenged using an orthogonal method that was developed based on the trellis graphs and surface response outcome of the design of experiment (DoE). The orthogonality factor between methods was calculated by measuring the correlation coefficient (r) of the retention factor (k') calculated for each peak on both methods. A forced degradation study was performed to challenge the method, and stressed samples were analyzed using both orthogonal methods. The outcome of the experiment proved that the approach of developing methods using the AQbD approach and then challenging them with orthogonality helps to develop a robust method. The method was further validated as per ICH guidelines.

Simultaneous estimation of degree of crystallinity in combination drug product of abacavir, lamivudine and neverapine using X-ray powder diffraction technique

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, simultaneous determination of degree of crystallinity content in abacavir (ABC), lamivudine (3TC) and neverapine (NVP) from there combination drug product using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) technique is developed and validated.

METHODS

The X-ray procedure for the identification and determination of the degree of crystallinity in ABC, 3TC and NVP drug product is developed and validated. It is based on the X-ray diffraction from crystalline region of the drug product. The characteristic peaks of the three drugs were characterized using XRPD.

RESULTS

ABC, 3TC and NVP concentrations ranging from 70% to 130% in drug product were prepared and linearity in this concentration range is described. The % coefficient of variation (%CV) was found to be 0.9982 for ABC, 0.9978 for 3TC and 0.9984 for NVP. The mean recoveries were found to be 100.3% for ABC, 99.0% for 3TC and 100.8% for NVP. Regressions statistics and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) table results were evaluated and found to be satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

The method has been applied to unknown mixtures of drug formulations and stability samples. The proposed method can be useful in the quality control of combination drug products.

A Stability Indicating Method Development and Validation for Separation of Process Related Impurities and Characterization of Unknown Impurities of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Ibrutinib Using QbD Approach by RP-HPLC, NMR Spectroscopy and ESI-MS

A selective RP-HPLC method for separation and determination of potential-related impurities (process related and degradants) of Ibrutinib drug substance has been developed and validated. The separation was accomplished on a X-Bridge C18, (150 x 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) column connected to a photodiode array detector using 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate with 0.025% of trifluoroacetic acid (pH ~ 5.5 adjusted with KOH solution) and acetonitrile in a ratio of 85:15 respectively as mobile phase A, and 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate with 0.07% of trifluoroacetic acid (pH ~ 5.5 adjusted with KOH solution) and acetonitrile in a ratio of 30:70 respectively as mobile phase B, under gradient elution. The flow rate and detection wavelength were 1.0 mL/min and 220 nm, respectively. Quality by design approach using design expert software was strategically designed to optimize the critical chromatographic parameters like column temperature, flow rate and mobile phase B, pH variation in the mobile phase to achieve the separation of process impurities and thermal degradants. Two unknown impurities found in IBT thermal stability condition at more than 0.1% in HPLC analysis were enriched and isolated by preparative HPLC and structure was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy. This method can be used for the quality control of both drug substance and drug product. The performance of the method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness and robustness.

Moisture Sorption-desorption Characteristics and the Corresponding Thermodynamic Properties of Carvedilol Phosphate

Aims:

Carvedilol phosphate (CDP) is a nonselective beta-blocker used for the treatment of heart failures and hypertension. In this work, moisture sorption–desorption characteristics and thermodynamic properties of CDP have been investigated.

Materials and Methods:

The isotherms were determined using dynamic vapor sorption analyzer at different humidity conditions (0%–90% relative humidity) and three pharmaceutically relevant temperatures (20°C, 30°C, and 40°C). The experimental sorption data determined were fitted to various models, namely, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller; Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB); Peleg; and modified GAB. Isosteric heats of sorption were evaluated through the direct use of sorption isotherms by means of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The sorption model parameters were determined from the experimental sorption data using nonlinear regression analysis, and mean relative percentage deviation (P), correlation (Correl), root mean square error, and model efficiency were considered as the criteria to select the best fit model.

Results:

The sorption–desorption isotherms have sigmoidal shape – confirming to Type II isotherms. Based on the statistical data analysis, modified GAB model was found to be more adequate to explain sorption characteristics of CDP. It is noted that the rate of adsorption and desorption is specific to the temperature at which it was being studied. It is observed that isosteric heat of sorption decreased with increasing equilibrium moisture content.

Conclusions:

The calculation of the thermodynamic properties was further used to draw an understanding of the properties of water and energy requirements associated with the sorption behavior. The sorption–desorption data and the set of equations are useful in the simulation of processing, handling, and storage of CDP and further behavior during manufacture and storage of CDP formulations.

A tri-functional self-supported electrocatalyst featuring mostly NiTeO3 perovskite for H2 production via methanol-water co-electrolysis

A self-supported NiTeO3 perovskite is made by deploying an extended hydrothermal tellurization strategy with a restricted Te content, which was found to be exceptionally active towards the oxidation of water and methanol and the reduction of water in 1.0 M KOH where it delivered -10 mA cm-2 at just -1.54 V for a full cell featuring MOR‖HER.

Stable Fatty Acid Solvates of Dasatinib, a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor: Prediction, Process, and Physicochemical Properties

Exploration of alternate solid forms for dasatinib, a potent oncogene tyrosine kinase inhibitor classified under Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drugs with low water solubility and high permeability, has been performed using COSMO-RS excess enthalpy (Hex) to increase dissolution. The theoretical prediction resulted in the potential for the formation of C6-C8 fatty acid solvates with dasatinib. A crystallization process has been identified for the preparation of the predicted solvates and successfully scaled up till the 100 g level. The fatty acid solvates are completely characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Unique powder X-ray diffraction patterns and powder indexing of C6-C8 fatty acid solvates indicate the purity of the solid phase. The red shift in the acid carbonyl stretching frequency of C6-C8 fatty acids in FT-IR spectra and the intactness of the fatty acid proton in 1H-NMR spectra provide evidence for solvate formation. The stoichiometry of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with solvent in solvates is measured using TGA and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Dasatinib C6-C8 fatty acid solvates were found to retain their solid form under various stress and pharmaceutical processing conditions. In addition, they exhibited improved powder dissolution over dasatinib Form H1-7 by 2.2-fold. They also showed stability at 40 °C and 75% RH for 3 months. C8 fatty acid is a USFDA GRAS listed solvent, and hence may be a viable option for drug product development.

Identification of Two Novel Hydroperoxide Impurities in Fluocinolone Acetonide Topical Solution by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Fluocinolone acetonide topical is used to treat skin discomforts such as swelling, itching and redness by activating the natural substances in the skin. Several process-related impurities and degradation products are identified and reported. But hydroperoxide impurities in Fluocinolone acetonide topical solution are not reported anywhere. In this study, we identify two potential genotoxic isomeric hydroperoxide impurities in Fluocinolone acetonide topical solution by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis. A possible mechanism for the formation of these two novel hydroperoxide impurities is based on the neighboring group participation effect of adjacent hydroxyl group (Internal SN2) which results in the loss of fluorine atom and formation of epoxide intermediate followed by the addition of the HOOH group. Since most of the hydroperoxide impurities are genotoxic in nature, one should eliminate these impurities from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) or protect the formulation product from these oxidative impurities.

CuNi sulphidation maximizes MOR activity by expanding the accessibility of active sites!

Sulphidation of a CuNi alloy of Cu : Ni ratio 81 : 19 led to an exponential activity enhancement in the alkaline methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) by four fold due to an order of magnitude increase in the number of active Cu and Ni sites and improved charge transfer properties.

Physical characterization and dissolution performance assessment of Etravirine solid dispersions prepared by spray drying process

The aim of the current exertion was to prepare Solid Dispersion of Etravirine by Spray drying technique to enhance aqueous solubility and dissolution rate. Solid dispersions (SD) of Etravirine were prepared using Copovidone and Povidone-Copovidone in dichloromethane and physical properties were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffractometry (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). SD's were evaluated for equilibrium solubility and in vitro drug release profile by dissolution testing. The diffraction and thermal patterns of solid dispersions indicated the conversion of crystalline Etravirine to amorphous form. The solubility of drug in SD's was appreciably more when evaluated against physical mixtures and intact Etravirine. Drug release characteristics were evaluated in three different media at different pH and found that drug release kinetic was best described by weibull mathematical model. Mean dissolution time (MDT) and Dissolution efficiency (DE %) in different media were evaluated for SDs. Statistical evaluation of dissolution data using Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) single factor and t-Test: Paired Two Sample for Means was applied for better understanding and evaluation.

RP-LC Method Development and Validation for Dasatinib Forced Degradation Study: Isolation and Structural Characterization by NMR and HRMS

A reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed for the quantification of a typical drug Dasatinib (DST) and its related impurities in pharmaceuticals. Kinetex C18 (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) column was used in the chromatographic separations, using buffer (1.36 g of KH2PO4 in 1000 mL of water, pH = 7.8; adjusted with diluted KOH solution) with solvent as acetonitrile and mode of elution as the gradient. The flow rate is 0.9 mL/min, column oven temperature as 45°C and the overall gradient run time as 65 min. The developed method was found to produce symmetric and good separation between the process-related and degradation impurities. Method optimization is achieved with photodiode array at 305 nm over the concentration range of 0.5 mg/mL and degradation studies were carried out under acidic, alkaline, oxidative, photolytic and thermal conditions to demonstrate the stability indicating capability of the method. Two major impurities were found in forced degradation studies in the HPLC analysis, the unknown, acid degradants were enriched and isolated by preparative HPLC, then characterized through high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The unknown acid degradation impurity was showing Exact Mass of 521.11, molecular formula C22H25Cl2N7O2S and its chemical name as 2-(5-chloro-6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino)-N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl) thiazole-5-carboxamide. Another impurity (oxidative degradant) found as known DST N-oxide Impurity-L and its chemical name as 4-(6-((5-((2-chloro-6-methylphenyl) carbamoyl) thiazol-2-yl) amino)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine 1-oxide. The analytical HPLC method was further validated as per ICH guidelines.

Olaparib Process Development Employing Quality by Design (QbD) Principles

This study focuses on multivariate experimental design and statistical analysis to optimize the process of Olaparib 1. Quality by design (QbD) methodology was adopted for optimization of the Olaparib process consisting of three reaction steps: (1) amidation, (2) deprotection, and (3) acylation. Every chemical conversion was studied in isolation, employing risk assessment to identify key material attributes and key process parameters that may have the potential to impact the reaction. Thereafter, the screening design of experiment (DoE) was employed to scrutinize the factors that significantly impacted yield. Moving forward, the scrutinized factors which were found to impact the responses, the set of critical material attributes (CMAs) and critical process parameters (CPPs), were considered for optimization by applying I-Optimal design to define design space arriving at a robust setting wherein the predefined targets were supposedly optimal. To our delight, we got 95, 91, and 75% yield with more than 99% purity in amidation, deprotection, and acetylation, respectively, which enabled us to systematically identify design space to meet the desired quality target of the product consistently. More importantly, to distinguish the CMAs and CPPs, these elements ought to be monitored to have control of the quality parameter throughout the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) value chain until commercial manufacturing followed by marketing. Eventually, we have developed a greener process in comparison to precedented one for Olaparib 1.

Comprehensive insights into electrochemical nicotine sensing technologies

Nicotine is a significant alkaloid that is abundant in tobacco products. Given the addictive nature of tobacco products and the health risks associated with their consumption, accurate real-time monitoring of nicotine levels is necessary. Electrochemical sensors are low-cost and noninvasive devices for detecting various target molecules, even at trace levels, with advantages such as high sensitivity, portability, and fast response time. Nevertheless, reliable electrochemical detection of nicotine is particularly difficult because of the active interferents present in complex sample matrices. Recent advances in electrochemical sensing have focused on the development of chemically modified electrodes that mimic the oxidase activity of cytochrome P450, thereby improving the selectivity and sensitivity of nicotine detection. This paper discusses several innovative materials and strategies for the practical detection and quantification of nicotine in complex real-world samples. This study focuses on evaluating the factors influencing the sensing performance of the various electrode materials and electrochemical techniques used. The comprehensive information presented in this study will inform future research on the practical real-time monitoring of nicotine in tobacco products, emphasizing the simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the sensor design.

Hierarchical Na3V2(PO4)2F3 Microsphere Cathodes for High-Temperature Li-Ion Battery Application

Sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-structured Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ cathode materials have received vast attention in the high-temperature storage performance due to their structural and thermal stability. Herein, hierarchical Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ microspheres (NVPF-HMSs) consisting of nanocubes were designed by a one-pot facial solvothermal method. The hierarchical Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ microsphere size is 2-3 μm, which is corroborated by FE-SEM and HR-TEM analyses. The NVPF-HMSs have been demonstrated as a cathode in Li-ion batteries at both low and elevated temperatures (25 and 55 °C, respectively). The NVPF-HMS cathode in a Li-ion cell exhibits reversible capacities of 119 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C and 85 mA h g^-1 at 1 C with an 82% retention after 250 cycles at 25 °C. At elevated temperatures, the NVPF-HMS cathode exhibits a superior capacity of 110 mA h g^-1 at 1 C along with a retention of 90% after 150 cycles at 55 °C. Excellent capacity and cyclability were achieved at 55 °C due to its hierarchical morphology with a robust crystal structure, low charge-transfer resistance, and improved ionic diffusivity. The Li-ion storage performance of the NVPF-HMS cathode material at elevated temperatures was analyzed for the first time to understand the high-temperature storage property of the material, and it was found to be a promising candidate for elevated-temperature energy storage applications.

Trace-level determination of potential genotoxic impurities in quetiapine fumarate using LC-MS

A novel LC-MS method was developed and validated to determine three potential genotoxic impurities, namely 2-(2-aminophenylthio)benzoic acid hydrochloride, 2-aminothiophenol, and 2-(2-aminophenylthio)benzonitrile, at trace level (~1.6 ppm) in quetiapine fumarate drug substance, an antipsychotic drug. These impurities are potentially genotoxic and therefore should be controlled at or below specific acceptance limits. An InertSustain AQ-C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) in reversed-phase mode with the column temperature at 45°C was used. The mobile phase was 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in water and acetonitrile with gradient elution mode, and the run time was 45 min. The flow rate was 0.8 ml/min. A mass spectrometer was used to quantify the amount of impurities using electrospray ionization mode at specific m/z 245.9, 126.0, and 226.9 for 2-(2-aminophenylthio)benzoic acid hydrochloride, 2-aminothiophenol, and 2-(2-aminophenylthio) benzonitrile, respectively. The method was found to be sensitive and possessed excellent linearity in the concentration ranges from the limit of quantification to 150% of the permitted level (0.47-2.36 μg/ml) with correlation coefficients above 0.999. The results showed that the method was specific, precise, linear, and accurate for the estimation of these three impurities in quetiapine fumarate.

Efficient Process Development of Abiraterone Acetate by Employing Design of Experiments

This article describes an efficient process for the synthesis of abiraterone acetate by employing Quality by Design (QbD) principles and statistical design of experiments (DoE). It focuses on the identification of critical quality attributes (CQAs), the relationship between CQAs and material attributes (MAs), and critical process parameters (CPPs) for the synthesis of hydrazone, vinyl iodide intermediates, and final product. Risk assessment is employed to identify the probable critical factors involved in each chemical transformation. The design of experiments approach aided in controlling the formation of critical impurities in all three reactions, namely, deacylated impurity in the hydrazone intermediate, 17-methyl impurity in the vinyl iodide intermediate, and hydroxy and diene impurities in the final API. The process was developed such that we achieved 95, 85, and 82% selectivity and 99, 96, and 99% purity in hydrazone, vinyl iodide intermediate, and final API, respectively. This reflects improved throughput from 25 to 57% as a result of the subtle interplay of critical process parameters identified by DoE studies.

A Multi-Analyte LC-MS/MS Method for Determination and Quantification of Six Nitrosamine Impurities in Sartans like Azilsartan, Valsartan, Telmisartan, Olmesartan, Losartan and Irbesartan

A sensitive and robust method for determination and quantification of potential genotoxic impurities in sartans has been developed. These impurities need to be controlled at trace levels during quantification in drug substances and drug products for safe consumption. Recent regulatory requirements also suggested the need to have highly sensitive analytical method for trace level quantification of nitrosamine impurities. In this paper, we have described a simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for six potential genotoxic nitrosamine impurities: N-Nitroso dimethyl amine (NDMA), N-Nitroso diethyl amine (NDEA), N-Nitroso Ethyl Iso propylamine (NIPEA), N-Nitroso-Nmethyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA) N-Nitroso diisopropylamino (NDIPA) and N-Nitroso dibutyl amine (NDBA) in Azilsartan (AZL), Valsartan (VAL), Telmisartan (TEL), Olmesartan (OLM), Losartan (LOS) and Irbesartan (IRB) with a limit of quantification of less than 0.003 ppm. Chromatographic separation is achieved using Poroshell HPH- C18, 150 × 4.6 mm, 2.7 μm column with 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase A and 0.1% formic acid in methanol as mobile phase B at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min using gradient mode of elution at a total run time of 20 min. Six nitrosamine impurities are ionized and quantified in positive mode of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization using multiple reaction monitoring. As per ICH guidelines, method validation is performed and evaluated the limit of quantification and detection and found to give good S/N ratios with good linearity range of 0.003-0.045 ppm with regression coefficient > 0.999 for all the six nitrosamine impurities. Method recoveries are also established using three-step sample preparation and are found to be satisfactory within 80-120%. The single method can be used routinely applied for the detection of nitrosamines in AZL, VAL, TEL, OLM, LOS and IRB.

Development of an UPLC-MS/MS approach to detect and quantify N-nitroso mirabegron in mirabegron

In the mirabegron (MIR) synthesis, the N-nitroso mirabegron (NNM) is obtained during synthetic process of MIR; water is being used in reaction under acidic condition. Nitrite source is from water, and secondary amine source is from MIR as it has secondary amine; NNM is generated as an impurity during the synthesis of MIR. The presence of NNM in MIR could potentially affect its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to establish a Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methodology to identify NNM in MIR samples. The method for NNM analysis was developed on Acquity HSS T3 (100*2.1) mm 1.8 μm column with gradient elution using mobile phase consisted of 0.1% formic acid in water (mobile phase A) and 0.1% formic acid in methanol (mobile phase B). Mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization operated in the MRM mode was used in the analysis of NNM (m/ z 426.20 → 170.00). The UPLC-MS/MS methodology proposed showed a good linearity (0.02 to 0.72 ppm), good system precision (RSD = 0.57%), good method precision (RSD = 0.87%), acceptable accuracy (94.5-116.5%), low detection limit (0.006 ppm) and low quantification limit (0.02 ppm) for NNM. The UPLC-MS/MS methodology proposed can be utilized to assess the quality of MIR sample for the presence of NNM impurity.