Influence of micronization method on the performance of gentamicin sulfate dry powder formulation

Tea Jikia, Aliosha Bakuridze, Nino Tsagareishvili, Nino Kurdiani

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia

Two micronization techniques are used in pharmaceutical technology: ball milling and fluid – energy milling (jet-milling). Both techniques can produce final particles less than 5 µm in diameter, but the energy input for each of the techniques is different. As a result, the properties of powders will be influenced differently depending on the milling technique employed. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the influence of the ball-milling and air-jet-milling processes on the dose delivery of gentamicin sulfate from dry powder inhalers (DPI). De-agglomeration behavior of these powders in an air stream was quite different. Jet-milled powder shows better de-agglomeration behavior, and it’s clear that for the elaboration of inhalation formulations of gentamicin sulfate powder, the use of jet-milling techniques is expedient.

Keywords:  gentamicin sulfate, micronization, de-agglomeration,dry powder inhalers