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Size Control of Atorvastatin Calcium Particles Based on Spherical Agglomeration
Author(s) -
Wu Songgu,
Li Kangli,
Zhang Tianwei,
Gong Junbo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201400721
Subject(s) - economies of agglomeration , crystallization , materials science , chemical engineering , tableting , compaction , mineralogy , bridging (networking) , chemistry , composite material , computer network , computer science , engineering
Abstract Atorvastatin calcium (AC) spherical crystals were prepared by spherical agglomeration. CH 2 Cl 2 acting as bridging liquid was added together with the drug solution or after the antisolvent precipitation process. Polymorph transformation in antisolvent crystallization and agglomeration processes was observed by focused‐beam reflectance measurement (FBRM). The results suggested the occurrence of an immediate agglomeration when CH 2 Cl 2 was added together with the drug solution. Size‐controllable AC spherical crystals with improved flowability and compressibility can be obtained by adjusting the amount of CH 2 Cl 2 and the stirring speed. The improved compaction behavior of the AC particles can be applied for direct tableting. A higher stirring speed can reduce the amount of bridging liquid which is required for effective agglomeration. It was a prerequisite for fine particles to be wetted by the bridging liquid in the spherical agglomeration process.