SCF Industry Uses
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals
Eliminate solvents, reduce costs.
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Supercritical fluids can be applied in numerous pharmaceutical areas including chromatography, drug discovery, and the synthesis, purification, and extraction of drug compounds. In addition, many drug delivery applications provide increased benefits compared to conventional techniques.
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Supercritical CO2 is the most widely used supercritical fluid in the pharmaceutical industry because it has a low critical temperature (31°C), is non-flammable, non-toxic, inexpensive, and is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
Two examples of Pharma Supercritical CO2 processes
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Particle Coatings
Sometimes coating of a drug compound is required to modify the release profile of the drug, enhance its stability, or improve handling of materials. Supercritical fluid technology is capable of replacing organic solvents in traditional methods. The coating is solubilised in supercritical CO2 and contacted with the drug powder in a apparatus similar to fluid bed dryer.
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Removal of residual solvents
Supercritical Carbon dioxide extraction offers an attractive means to remove residual solvent from drugs and polymers contaminated with organic solvent residues. Supercritical CO2 extraction is a quick, environmentally benign process that easily dissolves organic solvents and does not alter polymer chemistry or leave undesirable residues.