Silica-based materials such as mesoporous silica nanoparticle MCM-41 and hollow mesoporous silica have been synthesized at room temperature. Several characterization techniques such as N2 adsorption-desorption analysis, SEM and FTIR have been employed to assess the formation of the nanoparticles. Rifampicin, commonly used in tuberculosis treatment, was selected as the target drug to assess the ability of the two nanoparticles to host this antibiotic. Following the loading of rifampicin on the particle surface, the dissolution behaviour of rifampicin in a media was investigated. Surface characterizations show HMS exhibits higher surface area as well as pore size and volume compared to MCM-41. However, rifampicin was not attached on the latter particles until it was modified with APTES. HMS particles store more rifampicin molecules on the particle surface than the modified MCM-41. The in-vitro drug release was investigated with buffer phosphate (pH=7.4) and the results shown that the rifampicin-loaded HMS particles were capable of releasing 18% rifampicin content after 77 h. Further investigation was necessary to support the promising application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pulmonary drug delivery.

Dried kaffir lime peels from Citrus hystrix were extracted with ethanol by maceration method, followed by solvent evaporation to obtain dry extract. Due to economical aspect and good flow properties of the extract, a direct compression method was applied in making the tablets. The main objective of this study was to study the influence of filler-binder (Avicel PH 102, Emcompress and Lactose) on rheological properties of kaffir lime peel extract tablet dough. Firstly, kaffir lime peel extract was prepared by peeling, cutting and drying kaffir lime peels prior to soaking them to ethanol. After separating the solid part, the extract was subsequently concentrated and filler was added into the crude extract to obtain dry product. Secondly, dry extract was then combined with filler-binder, sweetener and lubricant prior to the compression. Rheological properties evaluated in this study were density, flow time, the Carr index and the Hausner ratio. Thirdly, the best formulation dough was compressed to produce tablets. From the results, it can be concluded that ethanol is the best solvent to extract polyphenols from kaffir lime peels. In addition, the use of a mixture of lactose and Avicel PH 102 as the filler-binder agent exhibited the best formulation.