A Powderization Process for Encapsulating with Functional Biomaterials Using Nozzleless Electrostatic Atomization.

Powderization of oils has been used as a method to enhance the stability of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Previously, we successfully powderized soybean oil via nozzleless electrostatic atomization. The process of nozzleless electrostatic atomization process was applied to the one-step process of encapsulating oil in wall materials. The encapsulation of oils in powder is dependent on the wall materials. The present study aimed to resolve the behavior of oil encapsulated in particles using a novel method of electrostatic atomization, and to investigate the effect of wall materials on the oil content in the encapsulated formulations. The size of particles surrounding oil was dependent on the type of wall materials used for encapsulation, and the oil content within the encapsulation decreased with increase in particle size. Furthermore, wall materials with higher hydrophobicity increased the oil content within the encapsulation, as more hydrophobic particles could absorb the oil more effectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Nozzleless electrostatic atomization is a new method for preparing encapsulation of oil using various wall materials.

DEM Modelling of Granule Rearrangement and Fracture Behaviours During a Closed-Die Compaction.

The closed-die compaction behaviour of D-mannitol granules has been simulated by the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate the granule rearrangement and fracture behaviour during compaction which affects the compactibility of the tablet. The D-mannitol granules produced in a fluidized bed were modelled as agglomerates of primary particles connected by linear spring bonds. The validity of the model granule used in the DEM simulation was demonstrated by comparing to the experimental results of a uniaxial compression test. During uniaxial compression, the numerical results of the force-displacement curve corresponded reasonably well to the experimental data. The closed-die compaction of the modelled granules was carried out to investigate the rearrangement and fracture behaviours of the granule at different upper platen velocities. The forces during closed-die compaction calculated by DEM fluctuated in the low-pressure region due to the rearrangement of granules. A Heckel analysis showed that the force fluctuation occurred at the initial bending region of the Heckel plot, which represents the granule rearrangement and fracture. Furthermore, the upper platen velocity affected the trend of compaction forces, which can lead to compaction failure due to capping. These results could contribute to designing the appropriate granules during closed-die compaction.

Kinetics of co-crystal formation with caffeine and citric acid via liquid-assisted grinding analyzed using the distinct element method.

The kinetics of co-crystal formation of caffeine (CF) with citric acid (CTA) was evaluated. Ball milling of CF and CTA in molar ratios of 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 was performed by the liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) method. The samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two types of co-crystals (co-crystal-1, a 1:1 CF-CTA co-crystal; and co-crystal-2, a new co-crystal form) were obtained. The kinetic characteristics of this new co-crystal formation were assessed by calculating the ball impact energy and force using the distinct element method (DEM) simulations. The results indicated that co-crystal-2 creation occurred under a condition in which the ball impact force exceeded a certain threshold value. Moreover, the total ball impact energy was positively correlated with co-crystal formation, exhibiting a higher ball impact force than the threshold value. The kinetics of co-crystal-2 formation was almost consistent with the Jander equation. Consequently, co-crystal-2 formation could be explained according to a three-dimensional diffusion mechanism.

Diffusion behavior in a liquid-liquid interfacial crystallization by molecular dynamics simulations.

Interfacial crystallization, such as surface crystallization in solution (solid-liquid) and liquid-liquid crystallization, gives us an asymmetric reaction field and is a technique for morphology control of crystals. In the liquid-liquid crystallization, the concentration distribution of solute ions and solvent molecules at the liquid-liquid interface directly relates to nucleation, crystal growth, and crystal morphology. Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed at interfaces in NaCl solution/1-butanol and KCl solution/1-butanol system in order to clarify diffusion behavior of solute ions and solvent molecules. As simulation results, the hydrated solute ions were dehydrated with the diffusion of water from solution phase into 1-butanol phase. The different dehydration behaviors between NaCl and KCl solution can be also obtained from MD simulation results. Aggregated ions or clusters were formed by the dehydration near the solution/1-butanol interface. By comparison on the normalized number of total solute ions, the size and number of generated cluster in KCl solution/1-butanol interface are larger than those in the NaCl system. This originates in the difference hydration structures in the each solute ion.