The apparent plasticizing effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the crystallinity of spray dried lactose/PEG composites.

Aqueous solutions of lactose and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were spray dried in a Büchi Model 191 spray dryer with the aim to investigate the effect of PEG on the crystallinity of the composite. A PEG concentration of 10.7% by weight of solids was studied for PEG 200, 600, 1500, 4000 and 8000.

Agglomerate formation and growth mechanisms during melt agglomeration in a rotary processor.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the binder particle size and the binder addition method on the mechanisms of agglomerate formation and growth during melt agglomeration in a laboratory scale rotary processor. Lactose monohydrate was agglomerated with molten polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 by adding the PEG either as solid particles from the size fraction 0-250, 250-500, or 500-750 microm or as droplets with a median size of 25, 48, or 69 microm. It was found that the PEG particle size, the PEG droplet size, and the massing time significantly influenced the agglomerate size and size distribution.

Effect of a melt agglomeration process on agglomerates containing solid dispersions.

The purpose was to produce solid dispersions of a poorly water-soluble drug, Lu-X, by melt agglomeration in a laboratory scale rotary processor. The effect of binder type and method of manufacturing on the dissolution profile of Lu-X was investigated. Lactose monohydrate and Lu-X were melt agglomerated with Rylo MG12, Gelucire 50/13, PEG 3000, or poloxamer 188.

Particle formation and capture during spray drying of inhalable particles.

An investigation of the spray drying process is made in great detail regarding particle formation and capture efficiency with focus on the production of inhalable particles. Mannitol was spray dried as model substance and the spray-dried products were characterized. The resulting products consisted of smooth spheres with a volume median diameter of 2.

Comparison of torque measurements and near-infrared spectroscopy in characterization of a wet granulation process.

The purpose of this study was to compare impeller torque measurements and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in the characterization of the water addition phase of a wet granulation process. Additionally, the effect of hydrate formation during granulation on the impeller torque was investigated. Anhydrous theophylline, alpha-lactose monohydrate, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were used as materials for the study.

Design and atomization properties for an inside-out type effervescent atomizer.

Atomization of aqueous polymer solutions is a key step in the formulation of several pharmaceutical products. Droplet size control is essential in order to produce pharmaceutical products with the desired properties. The purpose of this paper is to investigate design issues for an inside-out type of effervescent atomizer used to spray water and aqueous solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (Kollidon K-30) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Pharmacoat 603).

Melt pelletization with polyethylene glycol in a rotary processor.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the airflow, the binder concentration, the massing time, the friction plate rotation speed, and the surface structure of the friction plate on melt pelletization in a laboratory scale rotary processor. Lactose monohydrate was melt agglomerated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 as meltable binder. The study was performed as a full factorial design.

Effects of powder particle size and binder viscosity on intergranular and intragranular particle size heterogeneity during high shear granulation.

A study was performed in order to elucidate the effects of powder particle size and binder viscosity on intergranular and intragranular particle size heterogeneities. Granules were produced by melt granulation in a high shear mixer from each of four calcium carbonates having mean particle sizes in the range of 5.5-63.

The preparation of agglomerates containing solid dispersions of diazepam by melt agglomeration in a high shear mixer.

The aim of this study was to prepare by melt agglomeration agglomerates containing solid dispersions of diazepam as poorly water-soluble model drug in order to evaluate the possibility of improving the dissolution rate. Lactose monohydrate was melt agglomerated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 or Gelucire 50/13 (mixture of glycerides and PEG esters of fatty acids) as meltable binders in a high shear mixer. The binders were added either as a mixture of melted binder and diazepam by a pump-on procedure or by a melt-in procedure of solid binder particles.

Development of fast-disintegrating pellets in a rotary processor.

The aim of the present work was to formulate fast-disintegrating pellets by direct pelletization in a rotary processor. Formulations containing kaolin or bentonite and lactose were agglomerated with or without the addition of crospovidone in an instrumented rotary processor. The effects of the excipients on the amount of wall adhesion, the size and size distribution, the disintegration time, and the shape of the agglomerates, as well as the content of agglomerates > 2800 microns, were investigated.

The effect of droplet size and powder particle size on the mechanisms of nucleation and growth in fluid bed melt agglomeration.

This study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of binder droplet size and powder particle size on agglomerate formation and growth in fluid bed spray agglomeration using a meltable binder. Three different lactose grades, 100, 125 or 350 mesh, were agglomerated using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 at two different concentrations, 11.5 or 22% (volume/mass), and three spray droplet sizes, 30, 60 or 90 microm were applied.

Effects of droplet size and type of binder on the agglomerate growth mechanisms by melt agglomeration in a fluidised bed.

This study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of binder droplet size and type of binder on the agglomerate growth mechanisms by melt agglomeration in a fluidised bed granulator. Lactose monohydrate was agglomerated with melted polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 or Gelucire 50/13 (esters of polyethylene glycol and glycerol), which was atomised at different nozzle air flow rates giving rise to median droplet sizes of 40, 60, and 80 microm. Different product temperatures were investigated, below the melting range, in the middle of the melting range, and above the melting range for each binder.