Pharmaceutical Application of Carbohydrate-Based Composites in Fused Deposition Modeling

This study shows the possibility of processing carbohydrate-based composite material (hypromellose and pectin from citrus peel) by a hot-melt extrusion (HME) process for bio-based filament preparation. Filaments with suitable mechanical and physicochemical properties were applied for fused deposition modeling (FDM) of peroral drug forms. The emphasis is placed on two 3D-printed forms applicable in pharmacy: FDM-printed coatings for matrix tablets (prepared by direct compression method) and capsules, both designed in appropriate software (Fusion®360). Each studied form was subjected to dimensional analysis to verify the reproducibility and stability of the 3D printing (3DP) process. Poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) filament (the only commercial filament suitable in the pharmacy field) was used as a reference for the eligibility assessment of the designed 3D models. Two groups of the prepared dosage forms (coated matrix tablets, capsules) were tested by in vitro dissolution studies following European Pharmacopoeia. Detailed results of the dissolution study are summarized in this article. 3D printed coatings and capsules from bio based filament enable delayed drug release, which is in high demand for colon-targeted drug delivery. Next, the dosage forms made of PVA show lower lag times, whereas PVA capsules show potential in stomach-targeted drug delivery. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy analysis of the drug forms revealed the influence of the pectin particles on the consistency of the 3D-printed layers. Thermal stability of the processing materials was also studied by differential scanning calorimetry. No less important part is the practical application of a one-screw manual extruder for the preparation of biocomposite-based filaments. Obtained practical knowledge of HME and FDM 3DP processes are discussed and compared with the available machine learning prediction model M3DISEEN.