title: Preparation of polymer-blended quinine nanocomposite particles by spray drying and assessment of their instrumental bitterness-masking effect using a taste sensor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of taste-masking technologies for foods and drugs is essential because it would enable people to consume and receive healthy and therapeutic effect without distress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the current study, in order to develop a novel method to prepare nanocomposite particles (microparticles containing bitter nanoparticles) in only one step, by using spray drying, a two-solution mixing nozzle-equipped spray dryer that we previously reported was used. The nanocomposite particles with or without poorly water-soluble polymers prepared using our spray-drying technique were characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  (1) The organic solution containing quinine, a model of bitter compound and poorly water-soluble polymers and (2) sugar alcohol (mannitol) aqueous solution were separately flown in tubes and two solutions were spray dried through two-solution type spray nozzle to prepare polymer-blended quinine nanocomposite particles. Mean diameters of nanoparticles, taste-masking effect and dissolution rate of quinine were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of taste masking by taste sensor suggested that the polymer (Eudragit EPO, Eudragit S100 or Ethyl cellulose)-blended quinine nanocomposite particles exhibited marked masking of instrumental quinine bitterness compared with the quinine nanocomposite particles alone. Quinine nanocomposite formulations altered the quinine dissolution rate, indicating that they can control intestinal absorption of quinine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that polymer-blended quinine composite particles prepared using our spray-drying technique are useful for masking bitter tastes in the field of food and pharmaceutical industry.
authors.affiliation: a Drug Delivery and Nano Pharmaceutics , Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University , Nagoya , Aichi , Japan.
authors.forename: Moeko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taki
authors.affiliation: a Drug Delivery and Nano Pharmaceutics , Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University , Nagoya , Aichi , Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tagami
authors.affiliation: a Drug Delivery and Nano Pharmaceutics , Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University , Nagoya , Aichi , Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozeki
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003890:Desiccation / Q000379:methods; D008353:Mannitol / Q000737:chemistry; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011803:Quinine / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water; D008353:Mannitol; D011803:Quinine
keywords: Bitterness; nanocomposite particles; spray drying; taste masking; two-solution mixing type nozzle