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Effect of Surfactants on the Melt Viscosity and Extent of Drug Embedment of Paraffin Wax Blends in Spray Congealing

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Abstract

Purpose

Being hydrophobic, paraffin wax is potentially useful for developing taste-masked or sustained release drug formulations. However, its high hydrophobicity also makes it challenging to achieve good embedment of a hydrophilic drug (e.g. paracetamol) due to the significant interfacial tension experienced. While spray congealing is an efficient technique of producing microparticles for pharmaceutical applications, there has been limited investigation on the use of paraffin wax in this technique.

Methods

A rapid method based on microscopic assessment was developed to screen paraffin wax blends containing surfactants for good extent of drug embedment. The rheological properties of the molten blends were investigated. Suitable blends were spray-congealed and the products characterised. Statistical analysis of the data and drug release modelling were carried out.

Results

Drug-loaded paraffin wax was too viscous for spray congealing. The addition of surfactants decreased the melt viscosity and improved sprayability and microparticle yield. The microparticles showed high paracetamol encapsulation efficiency, with drug particles well-embedded in some formulations. The drug release was effected through diffusion and erosion of the matrix material.

Conclusion

The use of surfactants allowed successful embedment of paracetamol within spray-congealed microparticles, enabling taste-masking and sustained release.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the GEA-NUS PPRL fund (N-148-000-008-001). Ouyang Hongyi is a recipient of the National University of Singapore Graduate Research Scholarship.

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  1. GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore

    Hongyi Ouyang, Annabel Shi Yin Poh, Paul Wan Sia Heng & Lai Wah Chan

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Ouyang, H., Poh, A.S.Y., Heng, P.W.S. et al. Effect of Surfactants on the Melt Viscosity and Extent of Drug Embedment of Paraffin Wax Blends in Spray Congealing. J Pharm Innov 17, 414–428 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12247-020-09517-2

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