Effects of lower alcohols on nanocomposite particles for inhalation prepared using O/W emulsion.

BACKGROUND: Inhalable nanocomposite particles using O/W emulsions were studied. The effect of the composition of the dispersed phase on the nanoparticles in the nanocomposite particles was reported, however, the effect on the inhalation characteristics of nanocomposite particles has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the effects of lower alcohols in the dispersed phase of O/W emulsions on inhalable nanocomposite particles. METHODS: Nanocomposite particles were prepared using a spray dryer from O/W emulsion. A mixed solution of dichloromethane and lower alcohols in which rifampicin (RFP) and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) were dissolved was used as a dispersed phase, and an aqueous solution in which arginine and leucine were dissolved was used as a continuous phase. RESULTS: We succeeded in preparing non-spherical nanocomposite particles with an average diameter of 9.01-10.91 µm. The results of the fine particle fraction (FPF) measurement showed that the higher the hydrophobicity of the lower alcohol mixed in the dispersed phase, the higher the FPF value. The FPF value of the nanocomposite particles was significantly increased by using ethanol and 1-propanol. CONCLUSIONS: The results were revealed that mixing 1-propanol with the dispersed phase increased the amount of RFP delivered to the lungs.

Palmitic-Acid-Based Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Lower Alcohols from Aqueous Media: Liquid-Liquid Equilibria Measurements, Validation and Process Economics.

A new, natural, hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (NADES) based on DL-menthol and palmitic acid is adopted for the extraction of alcohols from aqueous phase. DL-menthol is used as a hydrogen bond acceptor and palmitic acid, being a natural organic acid, as a hydrogen bond donor. The synthesis is carried out by the addition of DL-menthol and palmitic acid in a defined molar ratio. Physical properties of NADES along with water stability are then measured. Liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE) of lower alcohols, namely, DES (1) + lower alcohols (ethanol/1-propanol/1-butanol) (2) + water (3) are carried out at p = 1 atm and T = 298.15 K. LLE results show type-I phase behavior, where alcohol is preferentially attracted toward DES. The tie lines are then regressed via nonrandom two liquid and universal quasichemical models, which give root mean square deviation (RMSD) in the range of 0.29-0.35% and 0.39-0.75%, respectively. Finally, the quantum-chemical-based conductor-like screening model-segment activity coefficient is used to predict the tie lines, which gives an RMSD of 2.1-5.2%. A hybrid extractive distillation flowsheet is then used for scale up, process economics, and solvent recovery aspects in ASPEN using DES as a "pseudocomponent."