The stability of benzoyl peroxide formulations determined from isothermal microcalorimetric studies

Recent developments in the analysis of microcalorimetric data output allow the possibility of determining both thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for complex reaction systems. Such experiments routinely take around 50 h, hence qualifying for the description rapid. The methods have earlier been applied to a study of the stability of benzoyl peroxide itself in aqueous suspension. This paper reports the results of isothermal microcalorimetric study of the stability of benzoyl peroxide in the presence of a wide range of excipients and in formulated materials. The results are shown to assist in formulation design, are achieved rapidly and are derived from direct experimental study of the complex systems themselves. That is, no ancillary information is required nor are the studies invasive or destructive.