Polysaccharide Powder Research Articles

Study of the Effects of Alfalfa Bioactive Substances and Polysaccharides on the Lactation Performance and Immune Function of Dairy Cows

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alfalfa polysaccharides on the lactation performance and immune function of dairy cows. Methods: A total of 84 healthy Holstein cows were selected and randomly divided into 7 groups, including the control Group A0, the alfalfa polysaccharide groups (AP1, AP2, AP3) and the alfalfa extract groups (AE1, AE2, AE3). Each group had three replicates and each replicate had four cows. The daily rations of the dairy cows in the AP group and the AE group were supplemented with alfalfa polysaccharide powder and alfalfa extract at concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 kg/t, those in the A0 group served as a control. Result: (1) the milk production of dairy cows in the AE groups was extremely significantly greater (p less than 0.01) than that in A0 group and AP groups. The milk protein content of cows in the AP2 and AE2 groups was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than that in the A0 group (2) The interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels in the serum of cows in the AP2, AP3, AE2 and AE3 groups were greater than those in the A0 and AP1 groups and the IgM antibody levels in the AP group and the AE group were extremely significantly greater than those in the A0 and AP1 groups (P less than 0.01). The IgA antibody level in the serum of dairy cows in the AP2, AP3, AE2 and AE3 groups was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that in the A0, AP1 and AE1 groups. In summary, the alfalfa extract improved both the lactation performance and immunity of dairy cows, indicating comprehensive effects. Alfalfa polysaccharides at a concentration of 2 kg/t improved the immunity of dairy cows.

The use of Arista AH as a local haemostatic agent in distal splenopancreatectomy: report of two cases.

Bleeding is still one of the most feared intraoperative and postoperative complications that can lead to an increase in morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and costs. Nowadays, in addition to accurate surgical techniques, several local haemostatic agents are available and can be used in case of oozing bleeding. Herein, we report our experience with a ready-to-use polysaccharide powder in two patients undergoing distal splenopancreatectomy. Bleeding control was achieved in both cases. No patient showed postoperative bleeding, and no other complications were reported.

Extraction, Characterisation and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Probiotic Growth Potential of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida Macroalgae.

Ulva rigida green macroalgae contain a variety of polysaccharides. A recent study investigated the optimum concentration and yield of polysaccharide extraction from oven-dried U. rigida biomass using a water-soluble polysaccharide extraction method that adhered to safety standards. This study utilised complete factorial experiments to examine the effects of varying factors on polysaccharide extraction. Results showed a positive correlation between increased levels of all factors and higher polysaccharide extraction yield. This study also found that the main factors and their interaction had a significant impact on the extracted polysaccharides from U. rigida. The highest polysaccharide content and yield were 9.5 mg/mL and 189 mg/g, respectively. Water-soluble polysaccharides demonstrated the presence of reducing sugar (8 mg/g), phenolics (0.69 mg/g) and flavonoids (1.42 mg/g) and exhibited antioxidant properties. Results revealed that freeze-dried polysaccharide powders were primarily composed of the monosaccharide rhamnose. Preliminary results on the effect of these powders on probiotics demonstrated that supplementation of polysaccharides from U. rigida promoted viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 growth during cultivation. This discovery has the potential to revolutionise the human food industry and promote the development of functional ingredients for novel and future food products, with numerous applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Nano polysaccharides derived from aloe vera and guar gum as a potential fat replacer for a promising approach to healthier cake production

In recent years, there increment demand for healthier food options that can replace high-fat ingredients in bakery products without compromising their taste and texture. This research was focused on a formulation study of the blend of nano polysaccharides derived from aloe vera and guar gum at various concentrations. This study selected the blend concentration of 1 % aloe vera mucilage (AM) and 1 % guar gum (GG) due to its optimal gelling properties. Different magnetic stirring time durations were employed to formulate AGB (aloe vera guar gum blend). The particle size of AGB revealed the lowest nanoparticle size (761.03 ± 62 nm) with a stirring time of 4 h. The FTIR analysis found the presence of monomer sugars in AGB nano polysaccharide powder such as mannose, arabinose, and glucose. The thermogram results displayed an endothermic peak for all samples with a glass transition temperature (Tg) between 16 and 50 °C. The SEM image of the AGB indicated uniform spherical particles. The AGB powder exhibited good functional properties. The antimicrobial activity of AGB powder against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans was 22.32 ± 0.02, 21.56 ± 0.02, and 19.33 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of different levels of vegetable fat replacement with AGB powder on cake sensory properties, thermal stability, and texture characteristics were also examined. Notably, the cake containing a 50 % substitution of vegetable fat with AGB (C50) supplied desirable physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties. These results can provide advantages for the development of fat replacers in bakery products.

Fish oil encapsulation by genipin-crosslinked complex coacervation between gelatin and different anionic polysaccharides

Herein, a combination approach of bovine bone gelatin (BBG)/anionic polysaccharide (AP) complex coacervation with genipin crosslinking was developed to successfully fabricate fish oil-loaded genipin-crosslinked BBG/AP (fish oil@BBG-genipin-AP) powders. The genipin crosslinking process promoted the formation of larger fish oil@BBG-genipin-AP particles from the BBG/AP particles and fish oil@BBG/AP particles. AP types (gum Arabic, GA; sodium alginate, SA; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) and concentrations significantly affected the critical pH to form complex coacervated particles, the powder physicochemical properties, the powder oxidative stability, and the powder in vitro digestion. The fish oil@BBG-genipin-CMC powder at the CMC preparation concentration of 17.5 mg/mL showed the highest loading capacity value (44.3% ± 0.8%), almost the highest encapsulation efficiency value (90.9% ± 0.7%), and the highest encapsulation yield (91.3% ± 2.0%). Due to the environmental pH change, the powders changed to emulsion droplets in the gastric phase and then released free fatty acids in the small intestinal phase. The highest FFA release percentages after the gastrointestinal phase (2 h in the gastric phase and 2 h in the small intestinal phase) were dependent on both AP types and their concentrations (GA: 64.8 ± 2.9%, 62.5 mg/mL; SA: 55.0 ± 3.1%, 15 mg/mL; and CMC: 48.9 ± 1.5%, 12.5 mg/mL). GA at a concentration of 62.5 mg/mL might be the best system to prepare fish oil@gelatin-genipin-anionic polysaccharide powders for fish oil digestion. This work provided useful information to develop oil-encapsulation powders for functional foods and understand the influences of wall materials on the fabrication and properties of powder foods.

A Prospective Analysis of the Effects of a Powder-Type Hemostatic Agent on the Short-Term Outcomes after Liver Resection.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative bleeding is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following liver resection. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize bleeding during liver resection and effectively manage it when it occurs. Arista® AH (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) is a microporous polysaccharide hemosphere (MPH), a new plant-derived polysaccharide powder hemostat that can be applied to the entire surgical field. This study prospectively assessed the effectiveness of Arista for bleeding control when applied intraoperatively to the liver resection surface. Materials and Methods: Data were collected at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for patients who underwent liver resection owing to malignant hepatocellular carcinoma or benign liver diseases. We compared the outcomes between 45 patients managed with Arista® AH (data were prospectively collected between September 2022 and May 2023) and 156 patients managed without the use of Arista® AH (data were retrospectively collected between January 2021 and December 2021). Results: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. The estimated blood loss (EBL) was significantly lower in the Arista® AH group compared with the control group (495.56 ± 672.7 mL vs. 691.9 ± 777.5 mL, p = 0.049). The mean postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Arista® AH group (5.93 ± 1.88 days vs. 6.94 ± 4.17 days, p = 0.024). The time to Jackson-Pratt drain removal was also significantly shorter in the Arista® AH group (4.64 ± 1.31 days vs. 5.30 ± 2.87 days, p = 0.030). The patient subgroup was divided into four categories based on the type of resection and the presence or absence of cirrhosis. Within the subgroup of major resections in non-cirrhotic patients, the Arista® AH group demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the control group, showed lower EBL, reduced need for blood transfusions, decreased volume of drain fluid collected within 48 h, earlier removal of drains, and shorter hospital stays. In contrast, for the other subgroups such as minor resection (both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic) and major resection with cirrhosis, the differences between the Arista® AH and control groups in various parameters like EBL, blood transfusion rates, drain fluid volume, time to drain removal, and duration of hospital stay were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Arista® AH significantly improved intraoperative blood management and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing liver resection, particularly in non-cirrhotic patients who underwent major resection.

Role of Absorbable Polysaccharide Hemostatic Powder in the Prevention of Bleeding and Wound Events after Thyroid Surgery.

Bleeding is one of the most fearsome and life-threatening complications after thyroid surgery. Several medical devices and haemostatic agents have been proposed to improve haemostasis during total and hemi-thyroidectomy. Resorbable polysaccharide powder (HaemoCer™) is a plant-based polymer that is helpful in terms of the coagulation cascade becoming a gel and forming a barrier to prevent further bleeding, having tested for haemostasis in different districts. The aim of the current study was the evaluation of drain output, the presence of significant postoperative blood loss and complications in patients treated with or without resorbable polysaccharide powder during thyroid surgery. From January to December 2022, postoperative bleeding, drainage output and the postoperative wound events of patients undergoing thyroid surgery, in a tertiary centre, with haemostasis completion with resorbable polysaccharide powder (Group A) or not (Group B), were retrospectively analysed. Eighty-one patients in Group A received a haemostasis improvement with the use of reabsorbable polysaccharide powder, and 96 patients in Group B received thyroid surgery alone. Patients in Group A presented lower drainage output (0.005), lower incidence of neck haematoma (0.005) and seroma (0.021), confirmed also by multivariate analysis. The resorbable polysaccharide powder, in the current series, appeared to be an effective agent in achieving haemostasis in thyroidectomies, reducing the postoperative drainage output, and also neck events such as neck haematoma and seroma, improving the postoperative comfort of the patients. Further larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.

Foam‐mat dried modified aloe polysaccharide powder: Optimization and physiochemical characterization

AbstractThe modified aloe polysaccharide (MAP) juice developed under optimized condition was investigated to assess the effect of foaming process parameters and its optimization followed by evaluating the best drying conditions for developing MAP powder from foamed and non‐foamed MAP juice. The foaming process parameters selected for optimizing the condition for MAP juice were soy protein isolate (SPI%), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC%), and whipping time (WT) with variation in experimental range of 3–7%, 0.1–0.5%, and 1–5 min, respectively. The optimal foaming conditions obtained for MAP juice were 6.905% SPI, 0.412% CMC, and 4.861 WT with a desirability of 0.885. The optimized foamed MAP juice were dried at varying temperature (50, 60, and 70°C) and different foam thickness (FT; 1, 3, and 5 mm) to compare with nonfoamed fresh aloe powder developed under the same drying condition. The developed foamed MAP powder dried at 60°C drying temperature and 3 mm FT retained significantly higher functional attributes than nonfoamed aloe powder. The yield, bulk density, colour change and polysaccharide content of the foamed MAP powder were higher significant effect, whereas TSS, solubility, firmness, flowability and overall acceptability were non‐significant differences to nonfoamed powder.

Exploring Adverse Events and Utilization of Topical Hemostatic Agents in Surgery.

Background and Objectives:This retrospective study provides preliminary qualitative assessment of the adverse events (AEs), focusing on pelvic and abdominal AEs and patient outcomes reported for three hemostatic agents used in gynecologic surgery.Methods:Utilization rates for oxidized regenerated cellulose powder (ORC), polysaccharide powder (PSP), and fibrin sealant solution (FSS) were obtained from hospitals via the Premier Healthcare databases for all surgical procedures from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020. All reported cases were extracted from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for ORC and PSP and from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database for FSS. Distributions of AEs by anatomical site (MAUDE/FAERS) and surgical procedures by specialty (Premier) were evaluated for each product. Number of cases and number and types of AEs were compared to the total utilization for each product.Results:PSP was the most used product during the period analyzed (n = 126,509 uses), followed by FSS (n = 80,628 uses), and ORC (n = 41,583 uses). Distribution of surgical procedures by anatomical site varied significantly between hemostatic agents (p < 0.001). ORC was associated with more patient cases with AEs and numbers of reported AEs compared with PSP and FSS (p < 0.001). ORC was associated with higher number of infections than PSP (p < 0.001) and FSS (p < 0.001).Conclusion:These findings suggest that ORC use in abdominal and pelvic surgery may result in more postoperative complications compared with non-ORC hemostatic agents. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to compare efficacy and safety of these products.

Analysis of Safety and Effectiveness of Sodium Alginate/Poly(γ-glutamic acid) Microspheres for Rapid Hemostasis.

Most preventable deaths after trauma are related to hemorrhage and occur early after injury. Timely hemostatic treatment is essential to minimize blood loss and improve survival. Among the various treatment methods, the most economical and effective is to use a hemostatic agent. A powdered hemostatic agent can be used for wounds of any shape or depth with high compactness and excellent accumulation effect. Herein, we chose the natural, hydrophilic polymer poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) to form composite hemostatic microspheres with sodium alginate (SA), which show good biocompatibility, water absorptivity, and viscosity. The morphology and structure of the hemostatic microspheres were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The overall safety, hemolysis, pyrogenic, and intradermal irritation tests were examined. The relationship between hemostatic pressure and hemostatic time during microsphere use was also measured. The hemostatic effect was analyzed with a liver, spleen, and femoral artery bleeding model. The composite microspheres were well tolerated in vivo and exhibited better hemostatic effects in animal experiments than a microporous polysaccharide powder compound. Research results showed that SA/γ-PGA microspheres are materials with good hemostatic effect, high safety, and great potential in clinical applications.

Physicochemical and functional properties of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) polysaccharides extracted under optimal conditions

This research aimed to optimize the polysaccharides extraction of oleaster fruit and then to investigate the physicochemical and functional properties of extracted polysaccharides. Temperature, water to dry matter ratio, time, and alcohol ratio were considered as variables. Purity of extracted polysaccharides was considered as the response. Optimization of polysaccharides extraction from full grain oleaster showed that all variables had effects on the purity of extracted polysaccharides alone or by interacting with other variables. The results showed that the temperature, 60 °C; water to dry matter ratio, 53:1 (V/W); time, 5 h; and alcohol ratio of 2.9 (V/V) were the best conditions for achieving the highest purity in extracted polysaccharides. The extracted polysaccharides had the potential of emulsion formation with high stability; however, foamability was not observed in this polysaccharide. In addition, the solubility of polysaccharide powder was high, and it increased with an increase in temperature, which resulted in a decrease in water absorption indicating the effect of heat on the structure and the amount of water absorption of extracted polysaccharides. The results obtained from FTIR confirmed the polysaccharide nature of extracted powder, and the X-ray diffraction pattern of extracted polysaccharides showed its semi-crystalline structure.

Hemostatic Comparison of a Polysaccharide Powder and a Gelatin Powder

ABSTRACTPurpose/Aim: Powdered hemostats have been widely adopted for their ease-of-use; however, their efficacy has been limited resulting in applications restricted to low-level bleeds. This study investigates the use of bovine-derived gelatin particles (BGP) as a standalone hemostatic powder and compare BGP to commercially available microporous polysaccharide hemospheres (MPH).Materials and Methods: The powders were investigated for their hemostatic efficacy in a heparinized pre-clinical bleeding model limited to grade 1 and 2 bleeds on a validated intraoperative bleeding scale, which represents the accepted, clinical use of hemostatic powders.Results: At 10 minutes, the hemostatic success of lesions treated with BGP were 78% while MPH were 22%. The odds ratio for hemostatic success of BGP relative to MPH was 15.18 (95% CI: 7.37, 31.27). The 95% lower limit of the odds ratio was greater than 1. This indicates that BGP are superior to MPH (p < 0.001). The median time to hemostasis for BGP was 1.6 minutes and MPH was 14.5 minutes. The ratio for time to hemostasis of MPH relative to BGP was 9.23 (95% CI: 6.99, 12.19). This indicates that BGP achieve significantly faster time to hemostasis (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Characterization of tissue explant ultrastructure, particle size, and swelling revealed differences in the materials. BGP, in addition to absorbing fluid and concentrating clotting factors and platelets, integrate into the clot and stabilize the fibrin matrix. BGP have advantages over MPH in terms of speed and efficacy. BGP are a favorable biomaterial for further research that greatly improve the limited efficacy of powdered hemostats.

Chitin and Cellulose Processing in Low-Temperature Electron Beam Plasma.

Polysaccharide processing by means of low-temperature Electron Beam Plasma (EBP) is a promising alternative to the time-consuming and environmentally hazardous chemical hydrolysis in oligosaccharide production. The present paper considers mechanisms of the EBP-stimulated destruction of crab shell chitin, cellulose sulfate, and microcrystalline cellulose, as well as characterization of the produced oligosaccharides. The polysaccharide powders were treated in oxygen EBP for 1–20 min at 40 °C in a mixing reactor placed in the zone of the EBP generation. The chemical structure and molecular mass of the oligosaccharides were analyzed by size exclusion and the reversed phase chromatography, FTIR-spectroscopy, XRD-, and NMR-techniques. The EBP action on original polysaccharides reduces their crystallinity index and polymerization degree. Water-soluble products with lower molecular weight chitooligosaccharides (weight-average molecular mass, Mw = 1000–2000 Da and polydispersity index 2.2) and cellulose oligosaccharides with polymerization degrees 3–10 were obtained. The 1H-NMR analysis revealed 25–40% deacetylation of the EBP-treated chitin and FTIR-spectroscopy detected an increase of carbonyl- and carboxyl-groups in the oligosaccharides produced. Possible reactions of β-1,4-glycosidic bonds’ destruction due to active oxygen species and high-energy electrons are given.

Effects of Microporous Polysaccharide Powder in a Model of Dilution on Viscoelastic Characteristics of Clot Formation - An In-Vitro Study

Effects of Microporous Polysaccharide Powder in a Model of Dilution on Viscoelastic Characteristics of Clot Formation - An In-Vitro Study

Endoscopic application of polysaccharide powder for hemostasis in anticoagulated pigs (with video)

Acute GI bleeding remains a clinical problem of daily importance. Increasing numbers of patients with compromised coagulation challenge the established methods of endoscopic hemostasis. Therefore, new powders for the treatment of GI bleeding have been developed. To clarify the efficacy of a newly available anticoagulant powder in stopping hemorrhage. A randomized prospective comparative study regarding the potential of an endoscopically applicable polysaccharide powder in pigs receiving antithrombotic medication. A professional veterinary animal laboratory. Twenty-two pigs were anticoagulated with heparin (n= 8), aspirin (n= 8), or no antithrombotic medication (n= 6), in a randomized order. A bleeding ulcer with continuous bleeding (Forrest I b) was established in the stomach. Endoscopic hemostasis was performed using the powder. Time to hemostasis and the amount of powder used were recorded. Follow-upoccurred for 3 days, final hemoglobin measurement, followed by autopsy with control for post-interventional bleeding. Endoscopic hemostasis was successful in all cases. Post-interventional bleeding was not recorded. Animal study, artificial superficial bleeding source. Polysaccharide powder is able to stop active bleeding from Forrest I b lesions in pigs receiving antithrombotic therapy.

Efficacy of hemostatic matrix and microporous polysaccharide hemospheres

BackgroundMicroporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) are a new plant-derived polysaccharide powder hemostat. Previous studies investigated MPH as a replacement to nonflowable hemostatic agents of different application techniques (e.g., oxidized cellulose, collagen); therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if MPH is a surrogate for flowable hemostatic agents of similar handling and application techniques, specifically a flowable thrombin-gelatin hemostatic matrix. MethodsHemostatic efficacy was compared using a heparinized porcine abrasion model mimicking a capsular tear of a parenchymal organ. MPH (ARISTA, 1 g) and hemostatic matrix (Floseal, 1 mL) were applied, according to a randomized scheme, to paired hepatic abrasions (40 lesions per group). Hemostatic success, control of bleeding, and blood loss were assessed 2, 5, and 10 min after treatment. Hemostatic success and control of bleeding were analyzed using odds ratios and blood loss using mean differences. ResultsHemostatic matrix provided superior hemostatic success relative to MPH at 5 (odds ratio: 0.035, 95% confidence interval: 0.004–0.278) and 10 min (0.032, 0.007–0.150), provided superior control of bleeding at 5 (0.006, <0.001–0.037) and 10 min (0.009, 0.001–0.051), and had significantly less blood loss at 5 (mean difference: 0.3118 mL/min, 95% confidence interval: 0.0939–0.5296) and 10 min (0.5025, 0.2489–0.7561). ConclusionsThese findings corroborate other MPH investigations regarding its low-level efficacy and suggest that MPH is not an appropriate surrogate for hemostatic matrix despite similar application techniques. The lack of a procoagulant within MPH may likely be the reason for its lower efficacy and need for multiple applications.

Combined Hemostasis and Adhesion Prevention with the Novel Agent 4DryField&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;&amp;amp;reg;&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; PH—Initial Observations

Large size peritoneal trauma from extended surgery for high-grade expansive uterus pathology or endometriosis might result in severe diffuse bleeding and peritoneal adhesion formation with objectionable sequelae. This paper introduces 4DryField® PH polysaccharide powder certified for two indications: 1) given as powder 4DryField® PH provides hemostasis; 2) transformed into gel, 4DryField® PH forms an adhesion prevention barrier. Twenty-one women with expanded uterus pathology and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis had surgery including repair of intestine lesions (n = 8), ureterolysis/repair of bladder, including retrograde ureteric stents (n = 5). Subjective impression of hemostatic effect, drain loss and infection parameters were recorded. Six women had scheduled second look laparoscopy. 4DryField® PH applied as powder showed an immediate significant hemostatic effect in all instances, especially in profound diffuse bleeding. Mean drain loss was 497 ± 339 mL, moderate considering the extent of disease. Dripped with saline solution, 4DryField® PH immediately formed a viscous gel acting as a barrier for adhesion prevention. Second look laparoscopy revealed only one patient with significant adhesions. No adverse events were observed; discharge was at Day 6.2 ± 1.4. In this cohort with extended gynecological laparoscopic surgery 4DryField® PH was very effective for hemostasis. The results of second look laparoscopies showed mainly no or minor adhesions. This can be considered very favorable regarding the extent of disease in these patients. Considering the twofold effect in hemostasis and adhesion prevention, 4DryField® PH is a very helpful tool especially in extensive and complicated surgeries. Prospective randomized studies are necessary to prove these promising results in larger series.

Spray-Dried Pectic Polysaccharide Powders: Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties for Pharmaceutical Preparations

Pectic polysaccharide from durian rinds (Durio Zibethinus) has been reported to mainly compose of pectin which is generally used in various pharmaceutical dosage forms. The purpose of this research was to investigate the physicochemical properties of spray-dried pectic polysaccharide powders as a function of spray drying conditions (inlet temperature, feed rate, and aspirator rate) and formulation parameters (pectic polysaccharide concentration). A mini spray dryer was used to spray dry pectic polysaccharide in formulation with maltodextrin, colloidal silica and propylene glycol. Production yields were obtained between 31.08 – 52.87%. Higher yield percentage was obtained when the inlet temperature was increased. Particle size of &lt; 7m was from low pectic polysaccharide concentration. The pectic polysaccharide powders were bulky and the shape was almost spherical with smooth surface but collapsed at high inlet temperature and low feed rate. At 75% RH and room temperature, the powders could adsorb moisture of about 12% of the powder weight. The swelling index and mucoadhesion time that the powders attached to the porcine intestine was ranged 14 – 70 and 7 - &gt;30 minutes, respectively. This research provides useful information for development of pectic polysaccharide as fine powder for drug delivery.

Supercritical fluid drying of carbohydrates: Selection of suitable excipients and process conditions

The processibility of 15 carbohydrates, more or less commonly used, was investigated as excipients in supercritical fluid drying. The focus was on the ability to produce amorphous powder, the stability of the powders towards crystallisation, and the residual water and ethanol content. The aqueous solutions were sprayed into a pressurised carbon dioxide–ethanol mixture flowing cocurrently through a coaxial two-fluid nozzle. The powder characteristics appeared to be influenced by the supersaturation level reached during the SCF-drying process and by the properties of the sugar species, such as water solubility and glass transition temperature, or the solution viscosities. The stability and the residual solvent content of a selected set of sugars and some mixtures were further analysed. The stability of amorphous powders was investigated at 4 °C, room temperature, 40 and 50 °C. Lactose, maltose, trehalose, raffinose, cyclodextrin, low-molecular-weight dextran and inulin could form free-flowing powders that remained amorphous during the 3-month stability study. Sucrose had to be mixed with other sugars to form a stable amorphous powder. Ethanol could be entrapped in supercritical fluid dried low-molecular-weight sugars, whereas polysaccharide powders were free of ethanol. Measures to prevent or overcome the presence of ethanol are discussed.

Characterization and quantification of C-polysaccharide in Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide preparations

Purified capsular polysaccharide preparations from Streptococcus pneumoniae that are used for vaccine production typically contain residual levels of C-polysaccharide (C-Ps). Residual C-Ps is typically found in one of two forms, either chemically linked to the capsular polysaccharide (bound) or present by itself (free). Two analytical methods have been developed and applied to determine the relative percentages of the two C-Ps forms present in various capsular polysaccharide preparations. Both methods differentiate the two forms of C-Ps according to the difference of their hydrodynamic sizes. One method is based on labeling C-Ps with a fluorescent tag and separating the two forms of C-Ps by high-performance size exclusion chromatography with on-line refractive index and fluorescence detection, and the other method is based on measuring self-diffusion rates of the two forms of C-Ps by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and quantifying each form with deconvolution. Both methods were evaluated for relative accuracy, precision, and ease of application, and they were found to provide comparable results for a large number of pneumococcal polysaccharide preparations. These analyses, combined with other quantitative NMR measurement of total C-Ps in the polysaccharide powder, provide a more refined means of evaluating the amount of each form of C-Ps in polysaccharide preparations targeted for vaccine production.