Synthesis and characterization of copolyanhydrides of carbohydrate-based galactaric acid and adipic acid.

A series of copolyanhydrides, consisting of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetylgalactaric acid (AGA) and adipic acid (AA) as monomer units, was polymerized. Synthesis of AGA monomer consisted of two steps. First, O-acetylation of galactaric acid secondary hydroxyl groups was performed using acetic anhydride as a reagent. Acetic anhydride was then further used as a reagent in the synthesis of diacetyl mixed anhydride of AGA. Polymerizations were conducted as bulk condensation polymerization at 150 °C. Thermal properties of the copolymers varied depending on monomer composition. Increase in the AGA content had a clear increasing effect on the Tg. A similar increasing effect was observed in Tm. The degree of crystallinity decreased as AGA content increased. There was a slightly lowering tendency in the molecular weights of the obtained polymers when the AGA content in the polymerization mixtures increased. The described synthesis route shows that bio-based aldaric acid monomers are potential candidates for the adjustment of thermal properties of polyanhydrides.

Aqueous starch acetate dispersion as a novel coating material for controlled release products.

The aim of this study was to evaluate film-formation properties of a novel, organic solvent-free aqueous dispersion of potato starch acetate (SA; degree of substitution 2.8) and its ability to control drug release from a coated tablet. Initially, film-formation mechanisms and drug permeabilities of both organic solvent and dispersion-based SA free films (prepared by cast or spraying techniques) were investigated. The SA dispersion was suitable for the fluid-bed coating process, forming strong films with complete coalescent polymeric spheres. The model compounds predominantly permeated via the micro-pores of SA free films, which resulted from the leaching of water-soluble excipients from the dispersion. Thus, the permeation rate depended on the film structure rather than the physico-chemical properties of the penetrant. In the case of SA-coated tablet, drug release was sustained when the coating level was increased (from 12% to 20%, stated as a weight gain), and also as lipophilicity of the drug increased. When compared to the reference polymer dispersion (Surelease), SA coatings showed better mechanical properties against the osmotic pressure caused by a hydrophilic core tablet. These results clearly demonstrate that SA dispersion has high utility as a novel aqueous coating material for controlled release products.

Enhanced film-forming properties for ethyl cellulose and starch acetate using n-alkenyl succinic anhydrides as novel plasticizers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of n-alkenyl succinic anhydrides (n-ASAs) to improve the film-forming characteristics of a novel coating polymer, potato starch acetate degree of substitution 2.8 (SA). n-ASAs were also applied to improve the otherwise brittle properties of ethyl cellulose (EC) aqueous dispersion (Aquacoat) and EC solvent-based films. METHODS: The effectiveness of two n-ASAs, 2-octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) and 2-dodecen-1-ylsuccinic anhydride were evaluated as plasticizers. Mechanical properties, both water vapor and drug permeabilities, and glass transition temperatures of the cast free films were measured. Triethyl citrate and dibutyl sebacate were used as reference plasticizers. RESULTS: The long hydrocarbon chain of n-ASA, with its accessible carbonyl groups, enabled a strong plasticization effect on the tested polymers. Due to the excellent mechanical properties (i.e., a tough film structure with considerable flexibility) and low permeability of the plasticized films, n-ASAs, and especially OSA proved to be an ideal plasticizer particularly for EC based coatings. Also, the EC aqueous dispersion plasticized with n-ASAs resulted in a markedly enhanced coalescence of the colloidal polymer particles, even at low drying temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: In applications where a coating with high flexibility is required, n-ASAs can be used as plasticizers at moderately high concentrations (up to 60-70%, w/w) without losing the high tensile strength, excellent toughness and low permeability of EC and SA films.