Production of Loratadine drug nanoparticles using ultrasonic-assisted Rapid expansion of supercritical solution into aqueous solution (US-RESSAS)

Effects of the process parameters such as pressure (12-30 MPa), extraction temperature (308-338 K), nozzle length (1-7 mm), nozzle diameter (150-450 mu m) and ultrasonic power (70 W/L at 20 kHz) on morphology and mean particle size of the nanoparticles were investigated. ANOVA results illustrated that, pressure and nozzle length imposed the most significant contributions into the production of smaller particles. The Loratadine (LOR) particles were observed to become nanosized from the original average size of 32.6 mu m to the smallest average size of 123.6 nm and 26 nm through RESSAS and ultrasonic-assisted RESSAS (US-RESSAS), respectively. Dissolution rates were measured before and after the processes, indicating an enhancement of 3.5 folds after the US-RESSAS process. Results of the two methods showed a significant difference in the particle size distribution. This is the first report on the simultaneous application of RESSAS and ultrasonic in the production of drug nanoparticles.