Fabrication of Micron Level Particles of Amoxicillin by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution

Abstract

In this study, the rapid expansion of supercritical solution (RESS) process was used to precipitate fine solid particles of amoxiccilin where supercritical carbon dioxide was used as a solvent. The process has been done by changing the RESS parameters, including extraction pressure (150–210 bar), extraction temperature (313–333 K), nozzle length (2–15 mm), effective nozzle diameter (450–1700 µm), and spraying distance (1–10 cm), to investigate the effect of these parameters on the size and morphology of the precipitated amoxicillin particles. The characterization (size and morphology) of the particles was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the different experimental conditions, the mean particle size of the fabricated particles were between 1.08 and 5.72 µm, while the intact particles of amoxicillin were about 41.46 µm. Also, no regular changes in the morphology of the processed particles were observed.

Keywords:

• Amoxicillin
• micronization
• RESS process

Acknowledgments

The authors thank to the Shiraz University for supporting this research.

Notes

† The experimental data of run 2.

^a The experimental data of run 2.

^a The experimental data of run 2.