Heavy metal contamination of nanosuspensions produced by high-pressure homogenisation

High pressure homogenisation is a method for the production of nanosuspensi ons. In this process crystalline drug particles are pressed with high press ure through a narrow homogenisation gap, Due to the conditions in the gap i t seems possible that metal erosion can occur. In this study the heavy meta l (Fe) contamination of nanosuspensions produced by high pressure homogenis ation was determined. Therefore nanosuspensions were analysed by atom absor ption spectroscopy concerning their load of iron which is chosen as referen ce metal. The results show that the erosion of metal is below 1 ppm and wil l not cause any toxicological problems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.