Preparation of ethyl cellulose/methyl cellulose blends by supercritical antisolvent precipitation

Int J Pharm. 2006 Mar 27;311(1-2):50-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2005.12.010. Epub 2006 Jan 19.

Abstract

The supercritical antisolvent (SAS) technique was used to prepare ethyl cellulose/methyl cellulose blends, two biocompatible polymers commonly used as drug carriers in controlled delivery systems. Ethyl cellulose is widely used as a drug carrier. The drug release of the delivery devices can be controlled to some extent by addition of a water-soluble or water swellable polymer, such as methyl cellulose. This leads to the solubility enhancement of poorly water-soluble molecules. SAS experiments were carried out at different operational conditions and microspheres with mean diameters ranging from 5 to 30 microm were obtained. The effect of CO(2) and liquid flow, temperature and pressure on particle size and particle size distribution was evaluated. The microspheres were precipitated from a mixture of dichloromethane (DCM) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (4:1 ratio). The best process conditions for this mixture were according to our study 40 degrees C and 80 bar.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Chemical Precipitation
  • Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers
  • Methylcellulose / chemistry*
  • Methylene Chloride / chemistry
  • Microspheres
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis*
  • Pressure
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Polymers
  • Solvents
  • Methylene Chloride
  • ethyl cellulose
  • Cellulose
  • Methylcellulose
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide