Pharmaceutical Spray Drying

Spray Drying is set to revolutionise pharmaceutical manufacturing.

From allowing particle engineering, and simplifying transport, let’s take a look at the benefits LabPlant Spray Dryers offer the Pharmaceutical sector. Spray Drying has never been simpler.

Spray Drying offers versatile delivery methods and tailored results to those using the machine for Pharmaceutical applications. Used for transforming a liquid into a powdered substance, Spray Drying facilitates the production of solid dosage forms (like tablets) and ensures proper drug delivery. The Spray Drying process offers several advantages to pharmaceutical formulations and provides researchers the flexibility to control particle size and shape, and the moisture content of the final powder.

Pharmaceutical Spray Drying can be used for various products, such as paracetamol (used in Calpol), penicillin, and inhalable powders for pulmonary and nasal administration (such as hayfever relief).

Paracetamol

One of the most commonly produced products from Spray Drying is paracetamol. This can be created through a crystallization method. Paracetamol solutions can be spray-dried at inlet temperatures ranging from 60 to 120 degrees. Increasing the inlet temperature during the spray drying process decreases the particle size and increases ethanol concentration. This process forms and purifies active pharmaceutical ingredients, generating solid crystalline particles.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) come with a very bitter taste, which can deter patients from taking medicine. Paracetamol requires a taste-masking formulation, to make it easier to ingest. Therefore it’s integral that formulators work on solutions for taste-masking for patient compliance and a successful product.

Inhalable Pharmaceutical Powders

Ideal for pulmonary and nasal delivery, inhalable powders are staple examples of particle engineering.

Spray Drying is one of the most versatile processing methods in the pharmaceutical sector. When creating inhalable powders, engineering precise particle sizes and distribution is crucial. LabPlant Spray Dryers allow developers the freedom to engineer the properties of the created powder. This makes Spray Drying ideal for creating inhalable powders that can be customised for set applications.

Whilst LabPlant Spray Dryers are research tools, first and foremost, they will help researchers determine the necessary conditions to achieve their desired particle size. Spray Drying allows users to optimise particle properties (shape and size) to their specifications, to ensure guaranteed nasal deposition.

Powders for nasal delivery have been recognised as advantageous dosage forms over liquids due to their increased stability – and there’s no need to research taste-masking solutions. Scalable, well-controlled and quickly created – nasal powders from the Spray Drying powders are ideal for allowing researchers to perfect their technique.

Benefits of Spray Drying for Pharmaceutical Transportation

It’s notably cheaper to transport powder in bulk, as opposed to liquids. Powders are much easier to transport than liquids, due to being a solid. The cost of spill-proof casing for liquids is much steeper than sealed parcelling for powders and solids.

Certain liquid chemicals also require unique handling, especially if they have a set storage temperature or are classed as hazardous. Due to liquids needing extra care, a hazardous carriage fee may be applicable, increasing the cost of transportation.

Whilst both bulk liquids and powders can be expensive, liquid routinely turns out as more costly. Solids and powders also require a lot less packaging, making them more environmentally sustainable. Powdered options, usually from Spray Drying, are therefore much more preferable.

Spray Drying in Pharma’s Future

The reliable process of Spray Drying allows for the continued creation of high-quality pharmaceutical powders. Each year, the process is honed by manufacturers looking to test their product’s compatibility with the process. Whether the main goal is more cost-effective bulk shipping, continuous research, or developing new products, the Spray Drying process remains a staple for those in the Pharmaceutical testing industries.

A straightforward method to turn liquid into a solid, Spray Drying allows the manufacturer flexibility and control over ascertaining their ideal shape and form for the end powder. With their sophisticated yet simple control system, enabling easier cleaning for Lab Tecs and an enhanced yield to powder-production process, LabPlant Spray Dryers empower quality research in the medical field.

If you’re interested in conducting a trial of your product, see Spray Dryer Trials, and email sales@labplantuk.com for more information.