Micromeritics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please
improve this article if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. (September 2007)

Micromeritics is the science and technology of small particles. The knowledge and control of
the size of particles is of importance in pharmacy and materials science. The size, and hence the
surface area of a particle, can be related to the physical, chemical and pharmacologic properties
of drugs. Clinically, the particle size of a drug can affect its release from dosage forms that are
administered orally, parenterally, rectally and topically. The successful formulation of
suspensions, emulsions and tablets; both physical stability and pharmacologic response also
depends on the particle size achieved in the product.[1][2][3][4]

Contents
[hide]
• 1 Origin
• 2 Applications
○ 2.1 Release and dissolution
○ 2.2 Absorption and drug action
○ 2.3 Physical stability
○ 2.4 Dose uniformity
• 3 References

[edit] Origin
The term was created by J. M. DallaValle in his book Micromeritics: the technology of fine
particles. It was derived from the Greek word for small and part. The size range which he
covered in the book was from 10−1 to 105 micrometers. Anything smaller than this but bigger
than a molecule were referred to at the time as colloids but are now often referred to as
nanoparticles. Applications included soil physics, mineral physics, chemical engineering,
geology, and hydrology. Characteristics discussed included particle size and shape, packing,
electrical, optical, chemical and surface science.[5]
[edit] Applications
[edit] Release and dissolution
Particle size and surface area influence the release of a drug from a dosage form that is
administered orally, rectally parenterally and topically. Higher surface area brings about intimate
contact of the drug with the dissolution fluids in vivo and increases the drug solubility and
dissolution.
[edit] Absorption and drug action
Particle size and surface area influence the drug absorption and subsequently the therapeutic
action. Higher the dissolution, faster the absorption and hence quicker and greater the drug
action.
[edit] Physical stability
Micromeritic properties of a particle, i.e. the particle size in a formulation, influence the physical
stability of the suspensions and emulsions. Smaller the size of the particle, better the physical
stability of the dosage form owing to the Brownian motion of the particles in the dispersion.
[edit] Dose uniformity
Good flow properties of granules and powders are important in the manufacturing of tablets and
capsules. The distribution of particles should be uniform in terms of number and weight.
[edit] References
1. ^ Brittain, H. G. (1995). Physical characterization of pharmaceutical solids. New York: M.
Dekker. p. 254. ISBN 0-8247-9372-2.
2. ^ Carstensen, Jens Thurø (1993). Pharmaceutical principles of solid dosage forms. Lancaster, Pa:
Technomic Pub. p. 211. ISBN 0-87762-955-2.
3. ^ Martin, Alfred N.; Patrick J Sinko (2006). Martin's physical pharmacy and pharmaceutical
sciences: physical chemical and biopharmaceutical principles in the pharmaceutical sciences.
Phila: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. pp. 533–560. ISBN 078175027X.
4. ^ Orr, Clyde; Webb, Paul W. (1997). Analytical methods in fine particle technology. Norcross,
Ga: Micromeritics Instrument Corp. ISBN 096567830x. http://micromeritics.com/Library.aspx.
5. ^ Dallavalle, J. M. (1943). Micromeritics: the technology of fine particles. New York: Pitman
publishing

Micromeretics
The science and technology of small particles is called micromeretics. (Ansel page 167)
Particles of different size behave differently and are evaluated differently. The table below gives
some indication as to the relationship between particle size and examples of which products
might contain that size particle. The smallest particles are found in Colloids while the largest
particles of interest to the pharmaceutical industry are those used in making tablets and capsules.
In the area of tablet and capsule manufacture control of the particle size and the
nature of the distribution of particle size in the mixture is essential if we wish to
achieve the necessary flow properties and mixing characteristics.

Particle Size Determination

Rarely do we have a powder that is not a collection of particles of different sizes. It is therefore
important to know both the average particle size and shape and the distribution of the particle
size range in the powder. Too many small particles will not allow the powder to mix well or flow
through the tablet and capsule manufacturing equipment. Please remember that when we discuss
a pharmaceutical powder it is normally a mixture of chemicals ( the active drug and excipients)
not just a pure chemical.
Edmundson has derived a general equation for the average particle size whether it be an
arithmetic, geometric, or harmonic mean diameter.

d = {(SUMndp+f)/(SUMndf)}1/p

Where n is the number of particles in a size range, d is the average diameter of the particles in
that range, p is an index related to the size of the particle, and f is a frequency index. (The
pharmaceutical uses of each of the possible values of "p" and "f" in different situations are also
included in the table below.) I have also included a second table with an example of some data
collected on a sample of powder.
Statistical Diameters
p
fT
SFC
1
0A
LNU
2
0A
SNA
3
0A
VNA
1
1A
LLO
1
2A
LSI
1
3A
LWS

Calculation of Statistical Diameters - data from microscopic measurements

S
M
Nn
n
n
 ..2
1
10
111
11
112
3
61
225
1
26
221
4
13
338
2
82
335
1
72
S12
61
Edmondson value for p = 1 and f = 2 is 2.57
There are several other methods for evaluating the powder sample based on its particle size
distribution. All have some uses but none are perfect. As long as each subsequent sample of the
powder is evaluated in the same way we can make predictions as to its performance in the
equipment and in use.

Methods for determining Particle Size

Optical Microscope
Sieving
Sedimentation - Andreasen Apparatus - This uses a modification of stokes law.
d = SquareRoot {[18Viscosity h]/[(rho - rho)gt]}
Other properties of powders that are important
Porosity - why is this information useful??
Density - True and Apparent - what is the difference??
Flowability - Angle of repose - How do we measure it??
Compressability - Elastic vs plastic deformation - which one is needed in tablet
manufacture??

Top of Form
 partner-pub-14214 ISO-8859-1 Search

jeepakistan.blogsp

Bottom of Form

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Micromeritics
Micromeritics is the study of finer particles which are smaller in size.

The merits and demerits of fine particles as dosage forms are given below:

Advantages of fine powder as dosage form:

1. Flexibility or activity:
In powder form, all quantity of a drug becomes active but in tablet or capsule form all quantity
of drug is not active and small quantity is excreted out as inactive drug for example, in powder
form if we take 100 mg drug then all of 100 mg will be active while in 500 mg tablet 350 or 400
mg drug will be activated and remaining will be excreted out.

2. Stability:
Some drugs are more stable in dry powder form and their activity is reduced in solution form.
Moreover, drugs in powder form are completely hydrolyzed where as in tablets form it may be
possibility that no total drug is hydrolyzed.

3. Rapid therapeutic effect:

The effect of a tablet or capsule is given below:
If drug is already available in powder form then it is rapidly absorbed and show rapid
therapeutic effect than tablets.

4. Ease of administration:
In powder form smaller surface area of drug particles can be easily administered but in tablets
form there is a difficulty to swallow it.
Disadvantages of fine powder as dosage form:
1. Prevention due to acidity:
Some drugs become inactive due to acidity in stomach pH.
So we take them in enteric coating to prevent from acidity instead of taking in powder form.

2. Efflorescent, Deliquescent and hygroscopic:

Some drugs become efflorescent, deliquescent or hygroscopic in nature and we can not use them
in powder form, so we take them in tablets or in capsule forms for preventing them.

3. Bitter in taste:
Some drugs are bitter in taste and we take them in tablet or in capsule form instead of powder
form.
Their bitter taste is masked by coating.
Comminution:
It is a process by which we can reduce the size of a substance.

There are various methods of size reduction.

1. Manual Size reduction
2. Mechanical size reduction

Manual size reduction:

It can be done by one of the following methods or their combination.

These are used mostly on small scale.

1. Cutting:
In this method, sharp blades or knives are used to cut a material into small particles.
This method is used for those materials which are elastic in nature.

2. Compression:
By applying pressure larger molecules can be broken down into smaller pieces.
3. Impaction:
In this method, large particles are broken by heavy mass.
If we hit large particle with heavy mass or hit heavy mass with stationary large particle, the large
particle is broken into pieces.

4. Attrition:
In this method, large particles are crushed down into small pieces between two opposite moving
surfaces.

5. Trituration:
Grinding of solid into powder is done by continuous stirring or rubbing the particle in mortar
with pestle.
Trituration is also used for mixing of two or more substances.
Here different types of mortar and pestles can be used.

6. Levigation:
It is also called as wet grinding.
In this size of substance is reduced to finer state by triturating the substance with few drops of
liquid in which it is insoluble.
Substances are used: oil, water, glycerine and alcohol.
This process is often used to incorporate the solid substances into dermatological and
ophthalmic preparations.
After mixing, levigation continue for this purpose, mortar and pestle, spatula and glass slabs are
used.
In this you will get fine paste.

7. Pulverization by intervention:
In this method, solid substance is reduced to a fine powder by means of triturating the solid with
a suitable solvent which is easily removed at the end for example camphor is difficult to reduce
in size because as it reduces in size. It cohere with each other but when few drops of alcohol,
ether, chloroform, it can be powdered easily and these substances evaporate.

Mechanical method:
On large scale, size reduction is carried out mostly by using different kinds of mills which have
capacity of producing powder of wide range of particle size. As different mills are used to reduce
the particle size hence it is also known as milling.

Various mills are ball mill, hammer mill, colloidal mill etc.

Grading of powders:
1. Very coarse:
All particles pass through sieve number 8 and not more than 20% through sieve number 60.

2. Coarse:
All particles pass through sieve number 20 and not more than 40% through sieve number 60.

3. Moderately coarse:
All particles pass through sieve number 40 and not more than 40% pass through sieve number
80.

4. Fine:
All particles pass through sieve number 60 and not more than 40% through sieve number 80.

5. Very fine:
All particles pass through sieve number 80 and there is no limit for greater finest.

Methods used to determine the size:

The following methods are used to determine the size of particles and to separate them:

1. Seiving method:
This is the most common applicable method. By this method, we can get 50-5000micrometer.
In this method, different sieves are arranged together, when material is put over the sieves and
sieves are shaken. We get finest powder at the last while the remaining material is present in
above sieves which entrap them according to size of their holes. So in this way size of powder is
determined.
2. By microscopy:
We can measure the size of particles of powder by microscope.
The particles whose size ranges from 1-25 micron can be measured under microscope.
When a prepared slide of material is examined under microscope then the microscope has a
micrometer by which we can determine the size of particles.
The advantage of this method is that we can measure the size of particle directly.

3. Sedimentation method:
This method is based on sedimentation time i.e. How much time is taken to settle down the
particles of powder from dispersion medium.
The apparatus used in this method is called as Andreasen apparatus.
The larger particles settle down rapidly while smaller particles take sometime to settle down.
So, larger sedimented particles are taken out by the tube from the bottom and remaining are the
fine particles.

4. Elutriation method:
This method is used for the separation of different sized particles of the powder.

Importance of particle size in pharmacy:

1. Size reduction increases the surface area of drugs, which helps in solution formation and
bioavailability increases.
2. Mixing is easier and uniform.
3. Rate of drying is enhanced, if particle size is reduced.
4. Stability of emulsion is increased by decreasing the size of globules.
5. Rate of absorption will be greater when the particle size is small.
6. In case of suspension, very small particles result in formation of cake and very large particles
settles quickly but we should have to form loose cake because it redisperse upon shaking.
7. Physical appearance of ointments, paste and creams can be improved.
8. Stability of some drugs increase in powder form and decrease in solution form.
9. Powdered drugs are easily administered than solid dosage forms.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from Micromeritics in Pharmaceutics

1. …………….. Is the science and technology of small particles.

(a) Nanotechnology
(b) Micromeritics
(c) Molecular Chemistry
(d) None of above
------------------
2. Increase the particle size increase will be,

(a)Absorption
(b) Distribution
(c) Both a and b
(d) None of above
-----------------
3. Particle size can be reduced by,

(a) Mortar and pestle

(b) Sieve
(c) Grinder
(d) Both a and c
---------------
4. Sedimentation rate can be decreased by …………. Particle size,

(a) Increase
(b) Decrease
(c) Unchanged
(d) None of above
-------------------
5. Which is smallest,

(a) Micrometer
(b) Millimeter
(c) Nanometer
(d) Catharometer
------------------

Answers to Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) from Micromeritics in

Pharmaceutics

1. Micromeritics,

2. None of above,

3. Both a and c,

4. Decrease,

5. Nanometer
---------------
Further Reading:
Micromeritics,: The technology of fine particles

Tutorial Pharmacy

Textbook of Pharmaceutics

Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (Remington the Science and Practice of
Pharmacy)

British Pharmacopoeia 2010

USP NF 2009 (United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary)

LABELS: DISPENSING, DOSAGE FORM PHARMACEUTICS, PHARMACEUTICS POSTED BY

JEEPAKISTAN AT 12:40 AM