Wurster CoatingJulia Lau

What is it? “…technology for

precision application of a film coating onto

particulate materials such as powders,

crystals, or granules. ”

How it Works

1. Filler particles are loaded into the chamber and moved by the fluid bed in a cyclic pattern.

2. Spray nozzle at the bottom of the fluid bed atomizes the coating solution (solvent + coating material) and sprays concurrently with the moving particles.

3. Particles are suspended into the expansion chamber where the solvent evaporates and leaves behind the coating material

Why We Use it for Client 1300 API

API Characteristics- Very soluble in water (hygroscopic)- Low melting point (mp: 89-100°C)- Clumps together; does not flow well - Particle size distribution is not

uniform

Wurster Coating- Reduce moisture

uptake- Control particle size - Improve flow- Achieve a uniform

blend

Why choose Wurster Coating vs. Other Methods

•Formulation 1: API based melt granulation•Formulation 2: Ethyl Acetate based high shear granulation•Formulation 3: Wurster Coating

Tests PerformedVisual Observation

Water ContentSieve Cut Studies

Moisture Study: Visual Observations

Visual observation of blends

-Discoloration-Flow-Agglomerates/clumping

F1 F3F2

T= 0 days

T= 9 days

F1 F2 F3

Moisture Study: Water Content

Water content after T=0,1,2,6,7,8,9

days

Time Point (Days)Formulation# 1 Formulation# 2 Formulation# 3

%WC %WC %WC0 4.46 3.48 2.961 7.46 7.65 6.892 7.18 7.36 7.416 7.44 6.94 6.457 6.72 7.01 7.008 7.31 7.47 6.589 7.28 7.56 6.67

Sieve Cut StudiesSieve Fraction Size

Weight of Formulation on Screen (g)

Percent Sieve Fraction % Potency

Weighted Mean % Potency

710 μm < x < 1000 μm 0.8462 4% 260.9

83.1425 μm < x < 710 μm 2.8319 14% 227.7250 μm < x < 425 μm 4.5223 23% 83.175 μm < x < 250 μm 11.1656 56% 35.0

< 75μm 0.4967 3% 39.0

Total 19.8627

Sieve Fraction SizeWeight of

Formulation on Screen (g)

Percent Sieve Fraction % Potency

Weighted Mean % Potency

710 μm < x < 1000 μm 0.2896 1% 295.5

96.5425 μm < x < 710 μm 2.5318 12% 279.3250 μm < x < 425 μm 5.1688 25% 93.975 μm < x < 250 μm 11.2686 55% 56.1

< 75μm 1.2425 6% 55.1

Total 20.5013

Sieve Fraction SizeWeight of

Formulation on Screen (g)

Percent Sieve Fraction % Potency

Weighted Mean % Potency

710 μm < x < 1000 μm 1.0956 5% 101.0

100.7425 μm < x < 710 μm 10.4002 51% 101.0250 μm < x < 425 μm 7.6452 37% 101.375 μm < x < 250 μm 1.1789 6% 106.2

< 75μm 0.1849 1% 21.8

Total 20.5048

Formulation 1: API Based

Melt Granulation

Formulation 2: Ethyl Acetate

Based Granulation

Formulation 3: Wurster

Coating

Other Applications

Industry ApplicationPharmaceutical - Coating drugs (prolong shelf life, masking odor/taste of drug)

- Control drug release in the body (delayed, enteric, sustained, extended etc.)- Coating capsules

Food - Mask certain flavors- Improve stability and shelf life- Extended release of flavors (e.g. gum)

Chemical - Control release properties of chemicals- Change absorption/surface properties- Isolate active chemical in a mixture

Agricultural - Coat seeds for easier handling (e.g. increase size for machine planting)- Improve crop yields and/or germination by coating seeds with pesticides or nutrients.

Animal Feed - Mask taste of products to improve palatability for animals- Control release of product after ingestion - Stabilize medicine by coating

Nutrition - Optimize stability of an ingredient or product - Control ingredient release properties

References

- “The Wurster Process- Coating Place, Inc.” The Wurster Process - Coating Place, Inc. Web. 14 Aug. 2015.

- Nate Barksdale- Vijay Taladi