CRYOPELLETIZATION

Cryopelletization is a technique in which droplets of a liquid formulation are transformed into solid spherical particles or pellets through the use of liquid nitrogen as the fixing medium. This technology, originally developed for the lyophilization of viscous bacterial suspensions, is capable of producing drug-loaded pellets in liquid nitrogen at -1600C. The process allows for … Read more

MELT SPHERONIZATION

Melt Spheronization is a technique in which a drug substance along with excipients is transformed into a molten or semi-molten state, and then shaped using suitable equipment to create solid spheres or pellets. Initially, the drug substance is mixed with the relevant pharmaceutical excipients, including polymers and waxes, and then extruded at a specific pharmaceutical … Read more

SPHERICAL AGGLOMERATION TECHNIQUE IN PELLETIZATION

Spherical agglomeration, also known as balling, is a pelletization technique whereby powders are transformed into spherical particles through the addition of a suitable amount of liquid or exposure to elevated temperatures, facilitated by a continuous rolling or tumbling motion. Spherical agglomeration can be classified into two categories: Liquid induced agglomeration and Melt induced agglomeration. Liquid-induced … Read more

Suspension / Solution layering technique in Pelletization

This method entails the application of successive layers of a solution and/or suspension containing drug substances and binders onto starter seeds, which can consist of inert materials or crystals of granules of the same drug. In this method, drug particles and other components are either dissolved or suspended in the application medium. The droplets strike … Read more

POWDER LAYERING TECHNIQUE IN PELLETIZATION

This method entails the application of successive layers of drug powder, along with excipients or both, onto pre-formed nuclei or cores using a binding liquid. During the powder layering process, the binding solution and finely milled powder are introduced simultaneously to a bed of starter seeds at a predetermined controlled rate. In the initial phases, … Read more

PELLETIZATION

Pelletization is a process of agglomeration that transforms a fine powder mixture of drug(s) and excipients into small, free-flowing, spherical entities known as ‘pellets’. The method is essential for creating pellets that are uniform in size, possess a high drug loading capacity, and also mitigate segregation and dust. Rationale for Pelletization The controlled release application … Read more

UNDERSTANDING OF WURSTER PROCESS

Dr. Dale Wurster at the University of Wisconsin pioneered the Wurster process in the 1950s. In recent years, this process has gained traction within the Indian pharmaceutical industry due to the burgeoning opportunities in the generic market. Almost all leading companies are now exploring particle coating using the Wurster method. Furthermore, this process can be … Read more

CAPSULE FILIING (ENCAPSULATION)

A capsule is characterized as a solid dosage form that contains medicinal agents in the form of ‘powder’, ‘pellets’, ‘liquid pastes’, or ‘tablets’ enclosed within a hard or soft soluble shell. The shells are typically made from gelatine. Capsules are considered an oral drug delivery system that offers a dosage form that is nearly tasteless … Read more

SPECIFICATIONS FOR DISSOLUTION TESTING OF ORAL DOSAGE FORMS:

The dissolution specification is defined by the amount (Q) of active substance that dissolves within a designated time frame, represented as a percentage of the content indicated on the product label. According to the Indian Pharmacopoeia, the dissolution specification is articulated in terms of the amount (D) of active substance that dissolves in a specified … Read more

BIOPHARMACEUTICS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

According to the solubility and permeability of drugs, the following Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) is suggested in the literature (Amidon 1995) This classification serves as a foundation for establishing in vitro dissolution specifications and also aids in predicting the probability of achieving a successful in vivo-in vitro correlation (IVIVC). The solubility of a drug is … Read more