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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:51
Film Extrusion of Crambe abyssinica/Wheat Gluten Blends
Published on: January 17, 2017
Fast dissolving films made of maltodextrins
Francesco Cilurzo1, Irma E Cupone, Paola Minghetti
1Istituto di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica "P. Pratesi", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. francesco.cilurzo@unimi.it
Summary
Low dextrose equivalent maltodextrins (MDX) form fast-dissolving oral films. Glycerin plasticization yielded flexible films, with casting showing faster disintegration than extrusion, suitable for drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Maltodextrins (MDX) with low dextrose equivalent are explored as film-forming agents.
- Oral fast-dissolving films offer an alternative drug delivery route.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate low dextrose equivalent maltodextrins (MDX) for oral fast-dissolving film formulation.
- To optimize MDX film properties using plasticizers and assess drug loading capacity.
Main Methods:
- Films were plasticized with glycerin (GLY) and processed via casting (Series C) or hot-melt extrusion (Series E).
- ATR-FTIR spectroscopy analyzed MDX/plasticizer interactions.
- Piroxicam (PRX) was incorporated to assess drug loading and dissolution.
Main Results:
- Glycerin at 16-20% w/w produced flexible MDX films.
- Casting (Series C) resulted in rapid in vitro and in vivo disintegration (<10s), while extrusion (Series E) took ~1min.
- Films exhibited high drug loading capacity (up to 25mg/6cm²) with improved piroxicam dissolution in Series C.
Conclusions:
- Low dextrose equivalent maltodextrins are suitable for fast-dissolving oral film development.
- Casting offers superior disintegration profiles compared to hot-melt extrusion for these MDX films.
- The developed films demonstrate potential for efficient delivery of poorly soluble drugs like piroxicam.
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