Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Visualization of the Charcoal Agar Resazurin Assay for Semi-quantitative, Medium-throughput Enumeration of Mycobacteria
Published on: December 14, 2016
Release of Cationic Drugs from Charcoal
Chiara Di Ruocco1, Maria Rosaria Acocella2, Gaetano Guerra3
1Department of Chemistry and Biology and INSTM Research Unit, Università di Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy. c.diruocco1@studenti.unisa.it.
Abstract:
The goal of this research is to improve preparation of charcoal adducts in a manner suitable for cationic drug release, possibly using an eco-friendly procedure. Charcoal, widely commercialized for human ingestion, is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in mild conditions. Adducts of a cationic drug (lidocaine hydrochloride, a medication used as local anesthetic) with charcoal are prepared after basification of charcoal and characterized mainly by elemental analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The drug in the prepared adducts is present in amount close to 30% by weight and can be readily released to both neutral and acidic aqueous solutions. Cation release, as studied by UV spectra of aqueous solutions, is faster in acidic solutions and is faster than for adducts with graphite oxide, which can be prepared only in harsh conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
In Vitro Drug Release Testing: Overview, Development and Validation
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Energy-releasing Steps of Glycolysis
The first energy-releasing step—the 6th step of glycolysis...
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview
Removing one hydrogen from the intervening CH2 group...

