Reduction of enthalpy relaxation in gelatine films by addition of polyols

Shell Formulation in Soft Gelatin Capsules: Design and Characterization

Soft gelatin capsules (SGCs) are the most widely used pharmaceutical form after tablets. The active components, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), or nutrients are dissolved, dispersed, or suspended in a liquid or semisolid fill, which is covered with a gelatin shell. Several factors can modify the properties of the gelatin shell and subsequently affect their operative handling during manufacturing process and the stability of the soft gelatin capsules. Three elements appear to be crucial: the shell formulation (type and content of the different components such as gelatins-source, extraction method-plasticizers, or additives); the manufacture and storage conditions (temperature, humidity, light) as well as the interactions between fill-shell formulas. Mechanical and thermal analysis arise as straightforward but highly useful tools to monitor the properties of the gelatin shell. This review provides an updated overview on the shell formulation and design. Additionally, it presents the uses of mechanical and thermal techniques to characterize and evaluate the impact of different parameters on the gelatin behavior over the production and stability of these pharmaceutical forms. This will help to detect changes that are yet not visible by visual inspection ensuring a suitable finished product over its shelf-life.

Preparation and characterization of a novel biodegradable film based on sulfated polysaccharide extracted from seaweed Ulva intestinalis

Seaweeds can be a suitable, inexpensive, abundant, and renewable source for the production of biodegradable films as an alternative to plastics. Sulfated polysaccharides, which are abundant in Ulva intestinalis seaweed, have shown important biological activities such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Mechanical, physicochemical, barrier, and surface properties of sulfated polysaccharide films extracted from Ulva intestinalis using glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were studied. Ulva intestinalis sulfated polysaccharide films (USP films) were successfully prepared by the incorporation of three concentrations of plasticizers (30, 40, and 50%). The film properties depended on the type and concentration of the plasticizer. Based on the results, by increasing the concentration of the plasticizer, the thickness, moisture content, solubility, and elongation at break of the USP films increased and tensile strength, young's modulus, transparency, and barrier properties of the films decreased. The film plasticized with 30% PEG showed the highest value of tensile strength (36.95 MPa), and the lowest value for permeability to vapor water and oxygen were 1.9 g mm-1 s-1kPa-1 × 10-11 and 7.45 cm-3.cm/cm2.s.cmHg ×10-8, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that the surface of the films was free of bubbles, cracks, or fractures. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results revealed some interactions between plasticizers and the polymer.

Development of Silver Nanoparticles/Gelatin Thermoresponsive Nanocomposites: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

BACKGROUND

Skin and soft tissue infections involve microbial invasion of the skin and underlying soft tissues. To overcome this problem, nanocomposites were obtained using gelatin as a biopolymer scaffold and silver nanoparticles as a wide spectrum antimicrobial agent. Water and glycerol have been used as solvents for the gelatin hydrogel synthesis. This mixture led to a stable and homogeneous biomaterial with improved mechanical properties.

METHODS

Silver nanoparticles were characterized using SEM, EDS and TEM. Moreover, the AgNp/gelatin nanocomposite obtained using these nanoparticles was characterized using SEM and FTIR. Moreover, mechanical and swelling properties were studied.

RESULTS

The storage modulus was 3000 Pa for gelatin hydrogels and reached 5800 Pa for AgNp/gelatin nanocomposite. Silver nanoparticles have been studied as an alternative to antibiotics. Importantly, the rate of silver release was modulated as a function of the temperature of the nanocomposite. Thus, the silver release from the nanocomposites at 24 °C and 38 °C was analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The silver release reached 25% after 24 h at 24 °C, while a 75% release was achieved at 38°C in the same period, showing the material thermoresponsive behavior. AgNp/gelatin nanocomposite showed a deleterious effect over 99.99% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, leading to a material with antimicrobial properties.

CONCLUSION

AgNp/gelatin nanocomposite with improved mechanical properties and silver nanoparticles as a source of silver ions has been synthesized. The properties of the nanocomposite with controlled silver delivery result in a more efficient topical pharmaceutical form for wound healing applications.