Interactions between Parenteral Lipid Emulsions and Container Surfaces.

Area of Science:

• Parenteral nutrition
• Lipid emulsion stability
• Materials science in healthcare

Background:

• Lipid emulsions are crucial components of total nutrient admixtures (TNAs) for parenteral nutrition.
• The interaction between lipid emulsions and storage containers can affect TNA stability and efficacy.
• Understanding container-emulsion interactions is vital for optimizing TNA formulation and administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between changes in emulsion globule size distribution and the uptake of lipid emulsions by different container types.
• To quantify triglyceride adsorption onto glass and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) containers from a TNA.

Main Methods:

• Prepared a TNA using 20% ClinOleic® lipid emulsion.
• Stored the TNA in glass (borosilicate) and EVA plastic containers for 24 hours.
• Monitored large globule size distribution (PFAT5) and measured triglyceride uptake via liquid chromatography and gravimetry.

Main Results:

• EVA containers showed a 75% reduction in PFAT5 compared to a marginal decrease in glass containers.
• Triglyceride levels on EVA surfaces increased over time, significantly higher than in glass containers.
• Gravimetric analysis confirmed mass gain in EVA containers due to lipid absorption.

Conclusions:

• Time-dependent triglyceride absorption by EVA containers reduces large fat globules in TNAs.
• EVA containers exhibit greater lipid uptake than glass containers.
• Preferential absorption of larger globules by containers contributes to TNA instability.