Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Transport Properties of Ibuprofen Encapsulated in Cyclodextrin Nanosponge Hydrogels: A Proton HR-MAS NMR Spectroscopy Study
Published on: August 15, 2016
Thin-coating as an alternative approach to improve flow properties of ibuprofen powder
Natalja Genina1, Heikki Räikkönen, Henrik Ehlers
1Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. natalja.genina@helsinki.fi
Abstract:
In the present study, thin-coating as a potential method for improving flow properties of cohesive ibuprofen powder was introduced. Briefly, the technique was based on the successive deposition of ultrasound-assisted fine polymer mist onto the surface of the powdered active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), producing individual particles with a hydrophilic thin-coat. A 0.15% m/V aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was used. Particle size and surface analysis revealed a decrease in the cohesiveness of ibuprofen powder and an increase in the homogeneity of particle surfaces as a result of polymer treatment. Superficial changes caused a substantial improvement on the flowing characteristics of coated substance over uncoated. The enhancement in flow rate proceeded as the uniformity of the HPMC layer increased. In conclusion, the proposed technique is a simple and effective method that can be used as a continuous process to modify API particle surface properties, which in turn improve the handling of poorly flowable powder.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
In Vitro Drug Dissolution: Alternative Methods
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement

