title: Microstructure of calcium stearate matrix pellets: a function of the drying process.
abstract: Drying is a common pharmaceutical process, whose potential to modify the final drug and/or dosage form properties is often underestimated. In the present study, pellets consisting of the matrix former calcium stearate (CaSt) incorporating the active pharmaceutical ingredient ibuprofen were prepared via wet extrusion and spheronization. Subsequent drying was performed by either desiccation, fluid-bed drying, or lyophilization, and the final pellets were compared with respect to their microstructure. To minimize the effect of solute ibuprofen molecules on the shrinking behavior of the CaSt, low ibuprofen loadings were used, as ibuprofen is soluble in the granulation liquid. Pellet porosity and specific surface area increased during desiccation, fluid-bed drying, and lyophilization. The inlet-air temperature during fluid-bed drying affected the specific surface area, which increased at lower inlet-air temperatures rather than the pellet porosity. The in vitro dissolution profiles were found to be a nonlinear function of the specific surface area. Overall, the microstructure, including porosity, pore size, and specific surface area, of CaSt pellets was a strong function of the drying conditions.
authors: Institute for Process and Particle Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, Graz, Austria; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Schrank
authors: Birthe
authors: B
authors: Kann
authors: Maike
authors: M
authors: Windbergs
authors: Benjamin J
authors: BJ
authors: Glasser
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Zimmer
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Khinast
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Roblegg
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003890:Desiccation / Q000379:methods*; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005612:Freeze Drying / Q000379:methods*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016062:Porosity; D012995:Solubility; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013607:Tablets
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D005079:Excipients; D013229:Stearic Acids; D013607:Tablets; C031183:stearic acid; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: dissolution; drying; extrusion; fluid-bed; lyophilization