Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Amorphization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can improve its dissolution and enhance bioavailability. Avoiding solvents for drug amorphization is beneficial due to environmental issues and potential solvent residues in the final product. <b&...

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Main Authors: Margarethe Richter, Simon Welzmiller, Fred Monsuur, Annika R. Völp, Joachim Quadflieg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1368
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author Margarethe Richter
Simon Welzmiller
Fred Monsuur
Annika R. Völp
Joachim Quadflieg
author_facet Margarethe Richter
Simon Welzmiller
Fred Monsuur
Annika R. Völp
Joachim Quadflieg
author_sort Margarethe Richter
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Amorphization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can improve its dissolution and enhance bioavailability. Avoiding solvents for drug amorphization is beneficial due to environmental issues and potential solvent residues in the final product. <b>Methods:</b> Dry amorphization using a twin-screw extruder is presented in this paper. A blend of mesoporous silica particles and crystalline itraconazole was processed using a pharma-grade laboratory scale twin-screw extruder. The influence of different screw configurations and process parameters was tested. Particle size and shape are compared in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to determine the residual amount of crystalline itraconazole in the final product. <b>Results:</b> An optimized screw configuration for the process was found which leads to more than 90% amorphous API when processed at room temperature. Full amorphization was reached at 70 °C. The specific mechanic energy (<i>SME</i>) introduced into the material during twin-screw processing is crucial for the dry amorphization. The higher the <i>SME</i>, the lower the residual amount of crystalline API. Two months after processing, however, recrystallization was observed by XRD. <b>Conclusions:</b> Dry processing using a twin-screw extruder is continuous, free of solvents and can be performed at low temperatures. This study proves the concept of twin-screw processing with mesoporous silica for dry amorphization of itraconazole.
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spelling doaj-art-b51d836f05e74aafac6d38f7e7df3ffc2025-08-20T02:48:02ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232024-10-011611136810.3390/pharmaceutics16111368Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw TechnologyMargarethe Richter0Simon Welzmiller1Fred Monsuur2Annika R. Völp3Joachim Quadflieg4Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pfannkuchstr. 10-12, 76185 Karlsruhe, GermanyThermo Fisher Scientific, Im Steingrund 4-6, 63303 Dreieich, GermanySil’innov, Rue de Liege 2, 6180 Courcelles, BelgiumThermo Fisher Scientific, Pfannkuchstr. 10-12, 76185 Karlsruhe, GermanyGrace GmbH, In der Hollerhecke 1, 67547 Worms, Germany<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Amorphization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can improve its dissolution and enhance bioavailability. Avoiding solvents for drug amorphization is beneficial due to environmental issues and potential solvent residues in the final product. <b>Methods:</b> Dry amorphization using a twin-screw extruder is presented in this paper. A blend of mesoporous silica particles and crystalline itraconazole was processed using a pharma-grade laboratory scale twin-screw extruder. The influence of different screw configurations and process parameters was tested. Particle size and shape are compared in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to determine the residual amount of crystalline itraconazole in the final product. <b>Results:</b> An optimized screw configuration for the process was found which leads to more than 90% amorphous API when processed at room temperature. Full amorphization was reached at 70 °C. The specific mechanic energy (<i>SME</i>) introduced into the material during twin-screw processing is crucial for the dry amorphization. The higher the <i>SME</i>, the lower the residual amount of crystalline API. Two months after processing, however, recrystallization was observed by XRD. <b>Conclusions:</b> Dry processing using a twin-screw extruder is continuous, free of solvents and can be performed at low temperatures. This study proves the concept of twin-screw processing with mesoporous silica for dry amorphization of itraconazole.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1368twin-screw granulationtwin-screw extruderAPI amorphizationsolubility enhancementmesoporous silicacontinuous manufacturing
spellingShingle Margarethe Richter
Simon Welzmiller
Fred Monsuur
Annika R. Völp
Joachim Quadflieg
Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
Pharmaceutics
twin-screw granulation
twin-screw extruder
API amorphization
solubility enhancement
mesoporous silica
continuous manufacturing
title Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
title_full Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
title_fullStr Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
title_full_unstemmed Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
title_short Dry Amorphization of Itraconazole Using Mesoporous Silica and Twin-Screw Technology
title_sort dry amorphization of itraconazole using mesoporous silica and twin screw technology
topic twin-screw granulation
twin-screw extruder
API amorphization
solubility enhancement
mesoporous silica
continuous manufacturing
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1368
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