Recent applications of supercritical fluid technology to pharmaceutical powder systems

Abstract

The unique characteristics of supercritical fluids can be utilised to overcome the drawbacks associated with the conventional techniques for the generation of pharmaceutical powders. These characteristics include high diffusivity compared with those of liquids, relatively high solvent density and solvent power intermediate between those of gases and liquids. Such characteristics make it possible to use supercritical fluids either as solvents or antisolvents. The application of supercritical fluid technology to various pharmaceutical processes such as micronisation of a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical compounds, encapsulation and polymer impregnation, coprecipitation of pharmaceutical compounds and liposome formation, has been explored. The present review critically discusses the novel supercritical fluid techniques that are currently available and the applications of such techniques to pharmaceutical powder systems.