Powder Dispensing is a core component of many processes pharmaceutical Research, Development, and in manufacturing. While the technology is widely available for bulk dispensing of powders (particles size > 0.25” 1), and for customized dispensing of a single powder, it is not available for accurately dispensing a very wide range of fine powders in the mg range, stored in an isolated environment, using the same dispenser.
A novel electromechanical powder dispenser has been developed as part of a high throughput catalyst screening system to automate the Bio-Transformation process. Development of the dispenser has permitted the automation of this time consuming and hazardous process. This dispenser can be adapted via software to dispense a range of powders with widely varying properties in the 0-20 mg range within ± 5%. .
Enzymes are used to develop biological processes to support Chemical Development efforts in synthesis of new drug entities, their intermediates or metabolites. The use of enzymatic methods is finding increasing application in synthetic organic chemistry.
This trend is brought about by global regulatory trends favoring pharmaceutical development of single enantiomers rather that race mates. Due to enzyme’s high emanation and region selectivity the biotransformation technology is best suited for efficient production of enantiopure molecules.
Close to 5,000 enzymes have been identified at present time. A simple bacterium such as E.coli contains 2,000 enzymes. The natural diversity of enzyme sources is indeed enormous and only a limited number of enzymes from few sources has been isolated and characterized. In fact, substrate and enantioselectivity of an overwhelming majority of enzymes still remains unknown.
Therefore a high throughput catalyst screening becomes an indispensable tool in a search for the right enzyme. Biotransformation Group develops biological processes to support Chemical Development efforts in synthesis of new drug entities.
- Modular System
- Can dispense a very wide range of enzymes, on an average 10 mg ±5%, from any of the 288 dispensers on the carousel, into a sealed 24/96 well deep well microtiter plate. The dispenser can be randomly stored anywhere on the carousel.
- Powders are differentiated by dispensing parameters, which are stored by in an ACCESS database, and are identified by means of a bar code label on the dispenser.
- Alternate uses for this technology:
- Precise powder dispensing for a powder filling line.
- Dispensing lyophilized microorganisms.
- Dispensing resins for combinatorial chemistry
- Distributing compounds in the compound distribution center
- Any other application, when powder is to be precisely delivered in a CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.
Technology Titbits
- Front Panel Touch Panel Control.
- The dispenser can be kept anywhere on the carousel–the system will find t. Windows Based control system. 100,000+ lines of code in `C’ & C++.
- Ten data communications networks in the system.
- Five axis of servo motion control.
- Digital Pressure regulators.
- Custom developed robotic arm to transport the dispenser.
- Novel vibration isolation technology for precision weighing of powders.
Powder Dispensing Data for a sampling of powders:
| Powder | Electrostatic Charge | Miscellaneous Characteristics | Agglomeration Characteristics |
Mean mg |
% Std Dev |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lipase Amano CE | Moderate charge | Fine powder; easy flowing | Very light agglomeration | 7.05 | 1.995 |
| Enzeco Fungal Acid Protease | Light charge | Large clumps | Light agglomeration | 9.27 | 2.258 |
| Lipase Chromobacterium Viscosum | Moderate charge | Very fine powder; clumps easily, poor flow | Moderate agglomeration | 11.24 | 0.276 |
| Enzeco Protease-160 | Heavy charge | Very fine powder; easy flowing | Moderate agglomeration | 10.22 | 0.175 |
| Chirazyme L-7 | Light charge | Fine powder; clumps easily, poor flow | Heavy agglomeration | 7.7 | 3.0 |