IN VITRO EVALUATION OF A NEW BUOYANT SYSTEM FOR ORAL APPLICATION

There are many areas in medicine and pharmacy where ion exchange resins are used. In this study ion exchange resins have been used as a floating system. The system relies on ion ex change resins loaded with bicarbonate, which, on contact with media containing hydrochloric acid, release carbon dioxide causing the resin beads to float. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the system to remain buoyant on the top of hydrochloric acid media and to neutralise the acid. The effect of a number of parameters such as exposure time and concentration of bicarbonate solution on the loading of resin beads was studied. Greater floating ability was observed when resin beads were treated with NaHC03 in comparison with Na2C03. Also floating times of up to 120 minutes were observed when resin beads were come in contact with HC1 (0.1M). The system has no neutralisation effect on the bulk of the medium, although pH in the raft area is higher in comparison to the acid medium bellow the raft.