Controlled Release of Diclofenac from Matrix Polymer of Chitosan and Oxidized Konjac Glucomannan

The controlled release of diclofenac sodium (DFNa) from a chitosan-oxidized konjac glucomannan (CTS-OKG) polymer film was studied. Konjac glucomannan (KGM) was initially oxidized by sodium periodate and then cross-linked to CTS via imine bonds (–C=N–) to form the new CTS-OKG copolymer. The DFNa loaded CTS-OKG polymers were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Finally, the release profiles of DFNa from the CTS-OKG polymer matrices were evaluated in a simulated gastrointestinal fluid system comprised of two hours in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; pH 1.2) followed by 24 h in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF; pH 7.4). A 1:2:1 (w/w/w) ratio of CTS:OKG:DFNa prepared at room temperature for 3 hours gave the highest % encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 95.6 ± 0.6 and resulted in a minimal release of DFNa (<1% over 2 h) in SGF (pH 1.2) and a significantly improved sustained release in SIF (pH 7.4) with ~6% and 19% release over 8 and 24 h, respectively), some 15- and five-fold lower than that of the two commercial DFNa preparations, Diclosian and Voltaren. This formulation may be used for further study as a long term intestine controlled release drug model (at least 3 days)

Development and evaluation of an externally air-cooled low-flow torch and the attenuation of space charge and matrix effects in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An externally air-cooled low-flow torch has been constructed and successfully demonstrated for applications in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The torch is cooled by pressurized air flowing at ∼70 L/min through a quartz air jacket onto the exterior of the outer tube. The outer gas flow rate and operating RF forward power are reduced considerably. Although plasmas can be sustained at the operating power as low as 400 W with a 2 L/min of outer gas flow, somewhat higher power and outer gas flows are advisable. A stable and analytical useful plasma can be obtained at 850 W with an outer gas flow rate of ∼4 L/min. Under these conditions, the air-cooled plasma produces comparable sensitivities, doubly charged ion ratios, matrix effects and other analytical merits as those produced by a conventional torch while using significantly less argon and power requirements. Metal oxide ion ratios are slightly higher with the air-cooled plasma but can be mitigated by reducing the aerosol gas flow rate slightly with only minor sacrifice in analyte sensitivity;A methodology to alleviate the space charge and matrix effects in ICP-MS has been developed. A supplemental electron source adapted from a conventional electron impact ionizer is added to the base of the skimmer. Electrons supplied from this source downstream of the skimmer with suitable amount and energy can neutralize the positive ions in the beam extracted from the plasma and diminish the space charge repulsion between them. As a result, the overall ion transmission efficiency and consequent analyte ion sensitivities are significantly improved while other important analytical aspects, such as metal oxide ion ratio, doubly charged ion ratio and background ions remain relatively unchanged with the operation of this electron source. This technique not only improves the ion transmission efficiency but also minimizes the matrix effects drastically. The matrix-induced suppression of signal for even the most troublesome combination of light analyte and heavy matrix elements can be attenuated from 90--99% to only 2--10% for 2 mM matrix solutions with an ultrasonic nebulizer. The supplemental electron current can be adjusted to "titrate" out the matrix effects as desired.</p

Amperometric Determination of Sulfite by Gas Diffusion- Sequential Injection with Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode

A gas diffusion sequential injection system with amperometric detection using aboron-doped diamond electrode was developed for the determination of sulfite. A gasdiffusion unit (GDU) was used to prevent interference from sample matrices for theelectrochemical measurement. The sample was mixed with an acid solution to generategaseous sulfur dioxide prior to its passage through the donor channel of the GDU. Thesulfur dioxide diffused through the PTFE hydrophobic membrane into a carrier solution of 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 8)/0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate in the acceptor channel of theGDU and turned to sulfite. Then the sulfite was carried to the electrochemical flow cell anddetected directly by amperometry using the boron-doped diamond electrode at 0.95 V(versus Ag/AgCl). Sodium dodecyl sulfate was added to the carrier solution to preventelectrode fouling. This method was applicable in the concentration range of 0.2-20 mgSO32−/L and a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 0.05 mg SO32−/L was achieved. This method wassuccessfully applied to the determination of sulfite in wines and the analytical resultsagreed well with those obtained by iodimetric titration. The relative standard deviations forthe analysis of sulfite in wines were in the range of 1.0-4.1 %. The sampling frequency was65 h−1

Sustained Release of Amoxicillin from Ethyl Cellulose-Coated Amoxicillin/Chitosan–Cyclodextrin-Based Tablets

Sustained release mucoadhesive amoxicillin tablets with tolerance to acid degradation in the stomach were studied. The sustained-release tablets of amoxicillin were prepared from amoxicillin coated with ethyl cellulose (EC) and then formulated into tablets using chitosan (CS) or a mixture of CS and beta-cyclodextrin (CD) as the retard polymer. The effects of various (w/w) ratios of EC/amoxicillin, the particle sized of EC coated amoxicillin and the different (w/w) ratios of CS/CD for the retard polymer, on the amoxicillin release profile were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the EC coated amoxicillin particles and tablets were determined by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The result showed that the release profiles of amoxicillin were greatly improved upon coating with EC, while the inclusion of CD to the CS retardant additionally prolonged the release of the drug slightly. Overall, a sustained release of amoxicillin was achieved using amoxicillin coated with EC at a (w/w) ratio of 1:1 and a particle size of 75–100 μm. Therefore, the tablet formulation of amoxicillin may be an advantageous alternative as an orally administered sustained-release formulation for the treatment of peptic ulcers