Supercritical fluid crystallization of griseofulvin: crystal habit modification with a selective growth inhibitor

Poly (sebacic anhydride) (PSA) was used as a growth inhibitor to selectively modify habit of griseofulvin crystals formed via the Precipitation with a compressed-fluid antisolvent (PCA) process. PSA and griseofulvin were coprecipitated within a PCA injector, which provided efficient mixing between the solution and compressed antisolvent process streams. Griseofulvin crystal habit was modified from acicular to bipyramidal when the mass ratio of PSA/griseofulvin in the solution feed stream was ≤1:1. The habit modification was attributed to the preferential adsorption of PSA to the fastest growing crystal face of the acicular crystal form, which inhibited growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the griseofulvin and PSA particles, and gave results consistent with a selective growth inhibition mechanism. SEM micrographs showed regions on griseofulvin crystals where PSA microparticles had preferentially adsorbed. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the griseofulvin crystals indicated no changes in the crystalline form after the habit modification. Powder compressibility decreased from 49 ± 3% to 28 ± 7% with the modification in crystal habit. No change in the physical stability of the processed powder was observed after being stored at 25°C/60% RH and 40°C/70% RH for 23 days. Despite the change in crystal habit, griseofulvin crystals achieved 100% dissolution within 60 min in a simulated gastric fluid. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.