Drug Encapsulation Using Supercritical CO₂
By: Maggie L. Plante │ UNH Manchester │ mlp13@wildcats.unh.edu
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Abstract
Results
Supercritical CO₂ can help green the conventional
process of drug development and encapsulation.
The re will be an overall positive impact on the
health of the patient and the environment with the
use of supercritical CO₂. The polymer coatings
created to encapsulate the drugs will encourage a
more controlled release rate as well as make
modifications to morphology and particle size of
various drugs to enhance their delivery to the
patient. This could lead to a new development in
drug delivery for patients on injectable medications.
Green Chemistry Principles Achieved by Drug
Encapsulation with Supercritical CO₂:
Purpose
The incorporation of green chemistry principles into
the process of drug encapsulation with the use of
supercritical CO₂ will result in polymer drug coatings
that are safe for both the human body and the
environment.
 Prevention of Waste
 Less Hazardous Chemical Synthesis
 Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
The use of supercritical CO₂ is cost efficient, nontoxic, and is successful under conditions that are
low in temperature and pressure. It also allows for
the synthesis of highly pure products.
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Discussion
Action Project
With the advances in green chemistry techniques
and the use of supercritical CO₂ the world of drug
delivery could be transformed. Improvements
include decreasing dosage, increasing the efficiency
of the drugs, and having significantly less harmful
effects to both human and environmental health.
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Introduction
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Supercritical CO₂ functions to replace harsh
solvents and high temperatures typically
involved in the process of drug development
and encapsulation
The creation of these biodegradable polymers
allow the release rate of a drug to a patient to
be easily controlled
Drugs that are more potent are now able to
survive the process in which coatings are
designed allowing patients to receive a wider
variety of drugs
References
Anastas, P. T.; Warner, J. C. Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice, Oxford
University Press: New York, 1998, p.30. By permission of Oxford
University Press.
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Maofang, H., & Xiufu, H. (2014). Polymer Nanoparticles Prepared by
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for in Vivo Anti-cancer Drug
Delivery. Nano-Micro Letters, 6(1), 20-23.
doi:10.5101/nml.v6i1.p20-23
Tenorio, A., Gordillo, M. D., Pereyra, C. M., & De La Ossa, E. M. (2010).
Supercritical Antisolvent Process Applied to the Pharmaceutical
Industry. Particulate Science & Technology, 28(3), 262-266.
doi:10.1080/02726351.2010.481589
University of Nottingham. (2007, September 14). Using Green Chemistry
To Deliver Cutting-edge Drugs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November
23, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/
2007/09/070913132945.htm