Microencapsulation
In Microgravity
Co-Principle Investigators: M. McMillen, C. Murray
Co-Investigators: J. Faust, M. Joyce
Collaborators: A. Gulrajani, C. McGrath, C. Padilla, S. Zouras
What is
Microencapsulation?
Microencapsulation, or the
inactive coating used in many drugs
such as Aleve, ensures the controlled
release of medication.
Our experiment tested how
microgravity affects the release of
the microencapsulated medicine
Aleve. Comparing the concentration
of dissolved Naproxen in space and
on Earth determined the strength of
microencapsulation in microgravity.
The effectiveness of
microencapsulated medicine in
microgravity is important to analyze,
for it can prevent uncontrolled
release of medicine in astronauts as
well as lead to further research on
microencapsulated medicine.
Materials
Volume 3:
Volume 1:
0.3 mL of the antacid
“Mylanta”. This
neutralizes the
simulated stomach acid
and stops the reaction.
20mg of Aleve. The active
ingredient, Naproxen, is
microencapsulated. The
simulated stomach acid
will dissolve the Aleve.
Aleve
Volume 2:
2.5 mL of our simulated
Stomach acid solution. It
has a molarity of 0.3 M. It
dissolves the Aleve in
space.
Experiment Timeline
Activation Date:
1/13/14 at 7:40 AM First clamp was taken out and Aleve was
combined with the simulated stomach acid.
Deactivation Date:
2 days after, 1/15/14 at 9:30 am second
clamp is released and antacid neutralizes
the solution to stop reaction
What is
Thin Layer Chromatography?
Thin Layer Chromatography
(TLC) is the process by which
components in a solution are
separated using a solvent.
The intensity of the dot of the
solution after the experiment is
run, reveals the concentration of
the solution.
Isopropanol was used to carry the
naproxen in the Aleve up the strip.
The naproxen travels up the strip
via capillary action.
Analyzing the Data
To analyze the Data, we took pictures of
the TLC strips. We then analyzed them
using a program called Image J, a Java
image processing and analysis program
from the NIH. We loaded the picture into
Image J, subtracted the background color,
and plotted the intensity of the dots. The
peaks were then cut out and weighed.
Results
We graphed the weight of
the peaks vs. the amount of
naproxen in each spot to find
a standard curve. We ran 7
tests.
We then derived a linear
equation and found the
approximate amount of
Naproxen (µg) dissolved in
the ground and space tests.
Conclusion
Space
Ground
23.637
33.485
16.266
19.255
13.684
10.71
25.478
12.892
24.275
17.136
26.74
16.94
Average
21.673
18.403
Standard Deviation
5.372
T Test
8.018
.193
80.8% certainty
The microcapsule
dissolves faster in space
than on Earth, for more
micrograms of Naproxen
were dissolved in the
space test.
Microencapsulation in
space is less effective, for
it had a higher
dissolution of Naproxen
in the time span,
therefore making its
release less controlled.
There is an 80.8%
certainty that the
relationship between
these points is true.
Acknowledgements
Partner Institutions
• Downingtown STEM Academy
• Downingtown Area School District
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West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Bentley Systems
Subaru of America, Inc.
NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium
Litts Quality Technologies (LQT)
Analytical Graphocs Inc. (AGI)
Center for the Advancement of Science in Space
National Center for Earth and Space Science
Trans Lunar Designs
AbsolutData
The SI Organization
Morphotek