Production of microparticles of PHBV polymer impregnated with progesterone by supercritical fluid technology

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis of particles based on poly(3-hydroxybutirate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polymer that were impregnated with progesterone. The PHBV particles were obtained by supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) anti-solvent expansion (SAS). scCO 2 was also used at a high pressure (25 MPa) and moderate temperature (323 K) for the impregnation of progesterone into the PHBV particles at different impregnation times. In vitro release tests showed that the half-time of progesterone release in a hydro-alcoholic medium, for the samples produced with impregnation times of 2-32 h, was 3-5 h, with the higher release times generally related to smaller impregnation times.

Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy—UV‐Vis

“…Engineers also characterize polymer impregnation, measure the size distribution of emulsions, release rates control of organic compounds, and encapsulation and release rates of antibiotics . UV‐vis spectroscopy is a powerful tool to calculate the reaction rates .…”

Application of Fluids in Supercritical Conditions in the Polymer Industry

“…The impregnation process is possible when the active substance is well-soluble in the supercritical fluid; the polymer swells in contact with the supercritical fluid, and there is a favorable partition coefficient so as to apply as much of the active substance to the matrix as possible [ 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 ]. The impregnation process is most often used in the medical industry, resulting in drug carriers and other pharmaceuticals [ 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ]. Implementation in the food industry is becoming equally significant [ 102 , 103 ].…”

Single step encapsulation process of ivermectin in biocompatible polymer using a supercritical antisolvent system process

“…This assures that the supercritical and organic solvents mix efficiently, while the solutes get supersaturated and precipitate during the mixing of the injected solution and the antisolvent CO 2 13 . The morphology of the resulting solid nanoparticles depends on the chemical structure of the material and experimental parameters of the supercritical process, such as temperature, pressure, geometry of the expansion chamber, and capillary dimensions 14 . Population balance equation (PBE) is often effectively employed to optimize nanoparticle production process via SAS technique 15 .…”