Search Results (75)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are essential for primary pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their permissible emission levels are strictly regulated due to their toxic effects both on human health and the environment. Activated carbon adsorption columns are used in industry to treat VOC gaseous waste streams from industrial plants, but their process efficiency suffers from quick and unpredictable saturation of the adsorbent material. This study presents the application of a validated, non-isothermal, multicomponent adsorption model using the Langmuir Isotherm and the Linear Driving Force model to examine multicomponent VOC mixture breakthrough. Specifically, three binary mixtures (hexane–acetone, hexane–dichloromethane, hexane–toluene) are simulated for four different bed lengths (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1 m) and six different superficial velocities (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 m s⁻¹). Key breakthrough metrics reveal preferential adsorption of acetone and toluene over hexane, and hexane over dichloromethane, as well as breakthrough onset patterns. Temperature peaks are moderate while pressure drops increase for longer column lengths and higher flow rates. A new breakthrough onset metric is introduced, paving the way to improved operating regimes for more efficient industrial VOC capture bed utilisation via altering multicomponent mixture composition, feed flowrate, and column length. Full article

Although, the use of sensors is increasing in a wide range of fields with great success (e.g., food, environment, pharma, etc.), their uptake is slow and lower than other innovations. While the uptake is low, some users, producers, and service industries are continuing to benefit from the incorporation of technology in their business. Among these technologies, vibrational spectroscopy has demonstrated its benefits and versatility in a wide range of applications. Both conventional near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems are two of the main techniques utilized in a wide range of applications in different fields. These techniques use the NIR region of the electromagnetic spectrum (750–2500 nm). Specifically, NIR-HSI systems provide spatial information and spectral data, while conventional NIR spectroscopy provides spectral information from a single point. Even though there is a clear distinction between both techniques in terms of their benefits, confusion still exists among users about their similarities and differences. This paper provides a critical discussion of the main advantages and limitations of both techniques, focusing on food science applications. Full article

The application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the supply chain fields is significantly changing the way businesses manage their operations, forecast their demand, manage their inventory, optimize their logistics, and increase their level of resilience. This research explores, through a bibliometric literature review, how the integration of these technologies can support the implementation of a demand-driven supply chain approach in the global healthcare and pharmaceutical supply chains, which are facing remarkable challenges in ensuring demand-driven operations, especially in light of sudden disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Data-driven organizations aim to control business decisions based on data. However, despite significant investments in digitalization, studies show that many organizations continue to face challenges in fully realizing the benefits of data. Existing maturity models for digital transformation, data management, and data-driven organizations lack a comprehensive, industry-agnostic, and practically validated approach to addressing industry challenges. This work introduces a refined data management maturity model developed using De Bruin’s maturity model assessment methodology. The model aims to incorporate all key elements of a data-driven organization, emphasizing the interdependencies required to evaluate maturity levels and provide targeted recommendations for addressing data-related challenges during the transition to a data-driven organization. An initial validation with 31 industry experts confirmed the model’s feasibility and practical applicability. As the next step, we plan to validate the model further by deploying the full questionnaire and deriving the maturity of each process dimension, along with its weighting, through assessments with industry partners from various sectors, including automotive, aviation, consumer goods/manufacturing, pharma, and media. Preliminary findings also underscored the importance of a deeper focus on the organization dimension, particularly in the context of Industry 5.0. Future research will refine the model through iterative development phases to address this critical area. Full article

Background: Atomization plays a key role in spray drying, a process widely used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, biological, and food and beverage industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, spray drying is particularly important in the preparation of amorphous solid dispersions, which enhance the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients when mixed with a polymer. Methods: In this study, a 3D-printed adaptation of a commercial spray dryer nozzle (PHARMA-SD^® PSD-1, GEA Group AG) was used to investigate the atomization of PVP-VA 64 polymer solutions under varying flow conditions using high-speed diffuse back-illumination. Results: Unlike pure water, the atomization process of the polymer solution was governed by viscous effects rather than surface tension, as indicated by stringing effects in the liquid core and the formation of larger droplets. In addition, the classical Ohnesorge diagram accurately predicted the atomization regime with increasing Reynolds numbers and could be modified to reasonably predict the breakup regime by considering the transitions between regime boundaries. Conclusions: The use of such a modified diagram facilitates the efficient selection of viscous fluid solutions and process parameters to achieve complete spray formation. Full article

Bioelectrochemical processes are emerging as one of the most efficient and sustainable technologies for wastewater treatment. Their application for industrial wastewater treatment is still low due to the high toxicity and difficulty of biological treatment for industrial effluents. This is especially relevant in pharmaceutical industries, where different solvents, active pharma ingredients (APIs), extreme pH, and salinity usually form a lethal cocktail for the bacterial community in bioreactors. This work evaluates the impact of the anode architecture on the detoxification performance and analyzes, for the first time, the profile of some key bioremediation enzymes (catalase and esterase) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the operation of microbial electrochemical cells treating real pharmaceutical wastewater. Our results show the existence of oxidative stress and loss of cell viability in planktonic cells, while the electrogenic bacteria that form the biofilm maintain their biochemical machinery intact, as observed in the bioelectrochemical response. Monitorization of electrical current flowing in the bioelectrochemical system showed how electroactive biofilm, after a short adaptation period, started to degrade the pharma effluent. The electroactive biofilms are responsible for the detoxification of this type of industrial wastewater. Full article

Pharmaceutical waste management represents a global issue. There is a significant gap in consumers’ education regarding the proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. A significant amount of pharmaceutical waste is generated in health care facilities, including expired medicines, unused doses, and contaminated materials. Inadequate disposal of pharmaceutical waste can have effects on human health and on the environment. Managing pharmaceutical waste requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, health care providers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, waste management companies, and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of activities that may impact the efficiency of Romanian pharmacists in collecting and disposing of pharmaceutical waste, as well as the intentions of pharmacists/technicians to recycle this type of waste. Furthermore, this paper aims to identify institutional and behavioral barriers that affect effective waste management. This research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative research methods. An exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the elements of satisfaction and their attribution levels in the pharmaceutical industry. The statistical significance of the differences across different occupations regarding satisfaction with pharmacists’ activities to reduce waste at each stage was tested using an analysis of variance. Cross-tabulation and a Pearson’s chi-square test were used to analyze the relationship between occupational segments and intention regarding recycling and reusing pharma waste. This research was augmented using qualitative analysis based on the Delphi technique, focused on the barriers to waste management in the pharmaceutical sector. This study presents a general perspective on the current situation of pharmaceutical waste in Romania. The results indicate that the selection of appropriate pharmaceutical waste practices is primarily determined by the attitude of individuals and organizations, followed by regulatory, economic, and technical criteria. In developing sustainable pharmaceutical waste policies, this research provides practical implications for governments, organizations, and citizens. A comprehensive approach to overcoming barriers in pharmaceutical waste management was developed by combining institutional strategies that focus on organizational policies and infrastructure with behavioral strategies that target individuals and communities. Full article

The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896), has become an invading species in the Mediterranean region, almost completely replacing native species within a few years and causing significant loss to local production. In some areas, there is an urgent need to propose new supply chains based on blue crab exploitation, where the potential valorisation routes for unsaleable blue crab and waste play an important role. The final purpose is to transform a threat into a treasure, towards a more sustainable world. In addition to applications in food industries, the considerable quantity of bioactive compounds in by-products, such as polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids, carotenoids, and chitin, needs to be capitalised by means of efficacious strategies and appropriate management. Crab exoskeleton can also be exploited as a carbonaceous material with applications in several fields, including medicine. Blue crab bioactive molecules have been widely recognised for having antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Due to these functional and distinctive activities, such high-value components could be employed in various industries such as food–feed–pharma and cosmetics. Recycling and reusing these underutilised but economically valuable waste or by-products could help to reduce the environmental impacts of the whole supply chain from the perspective of the circular economy. Full article

In this paper, an integrated cybernetic model for managing qualification activities when commissioning pharmaceutical facilities is created, focusing on defining critical factors that provide all the prerequisites for the start of the production process. An eight-year research and work on complex projects in the pharmaceutical industry is integrated into a scientific research endeavor focused on the qualification of pharmaceutical facilities. The newly designed cybernetic model for the qualification of pharmaceutical facilities is flexible and adaptive and has the most adequate elements so far recognized in practice and enables the qualification of smart facilities, in accordance with the concept of Pharma 4.0. Additionally, it meets the requirements of the regulatory authorities; therefore, it constantly initiates the search for better solutions and process improvements. Moreover, it is universal and, thus, applicable to all reconstructions in the pharmaceutical industry. The application of the designed model has been implemented in practice and has shown outstanding results, as it combines diversity and sustainability in project management. Also, the model focuses on indicating aspects that include risk management, scientific approach, experimental testing, numerical simulations, as well as the possibility of optimization and energy saving. Full article

Background: Understanding the concept and dynamic process of the evolution of professional identity and roles of market access (MA) in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) is critical to personal, interpersonal, and professional levels of development and impact. Objective: The aim was to carry out a scoping review of the conceptualisation of MA within pharma. Data Sources: BioMed Central, WorldCat.org, and Directory of Open Access Journals were searched from 2003 to 2023. Study Selection: All articles on concepts or definitions and other surrogate terms on MA in pharma were selected. Data Extraction: Keywords generated from an initial cursory literature search on MA in pharma were used in conjunction with AND/OR as search terms. Using the data charting method, key findings were mapped and summarised descriptively. inductive analysis was performed, allowing codes/themes that are relevant to the concept to emerge. Data Synthesis: Arskey and O’Malley’s six-stage framework and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews extension checklist were used as the review and reporting templates. The databases search yielded 222 results. Following title and abstract screening, a total of 146 papers were screened, and 127 of them were excluded. Full-text review was conducted for 19 papers that were deemed by two reviewers to meet the eligibility criteria. One of the authors arbitrated on disputed papers for inclusion. Only 14 of the included papers were found to meet the criteria for the final analysis. Five conceptual dimensions of MA in pharma were identified as “right products”, “right patient”, “right price”, “right point” (time), and “right place” (setting). Conclusions: Market access in pharma is a process that commences with the development and availability of the right products that are proven to be efficacious and disease/condition-specific (including medications, medical devices, and vaccines); specifically produced for the right patients or end users who will maximise best clinical outcomes and economic value; delivered at the right point in a timely, sustained, and efficient manner, given at the right price (commercially viable or reimbursed price that represents good value); and conducted within the economic, policy, societal, and technological contexts, with the overarching goal of achieving the best patient outcomes and ensuring product profitability. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate the polyphenol profile of Castanea sativa leaf methanolic extract and further evaluate its biological activities in vitro. After purification with an RP-18 resin, the extract was assessed for its polyphenol profile by UPLC-PDA-MS/MS, as well as for the antioxidant potential (ABTS, CUPRAC, ChA, ROS scavenging methods), anticancer, antiobesity, antidiabetic and antimicrobial potential. Eighteen polyphenols were identified and the dominant compounds were chestatin followed by quercetin 3-O-glucoside. The total phenolic content of the extract showed a value of 1426.55 mg/100 g d.w. The obtained preparation showed the ability to scavenge O₂^•− (0.067 mg/mL) and OH^• (0.207 mg/mL) radicals and had a stronger anti-obesity than anti-diabetic effect. Additionally, this extract exhibited a strong anticancer activity against the Caco-2 line (153.54 µg/mL), with anti-migratory and anti-proliferative activity. In turn, among the tested strains, the highest activity was demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the effects demonstrated were strongly dependent on the content of polyphenols. In conclusion, C. sativa is a promising source of natural antioxidant, antibacterial, antiobesity, antidiabetic and chemopreventive compounds for food-pharma industry; however, further experimental studies are needed to validate its pharmacological properties. Full article

Tetramethoxyflavones (TMFs) found in the Citrus genus have garnered considerable interest from food scientists and the health food industry because of their promising biological properties. Nonetheless, there are currently limited data available regarding the effectiveness and bioavailability of “hydroxylated TMFs”, which are flavones known for their potential in disease prevention through dietary means. This study aims to provide insights into the chemical and biological properties of hydroxylated TMF and evaluates its effects on intestinal cell permeability and cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and microsomes analyze the TMFs and hydroxylated TMFs, elucidating cell penetration and metabolic inhibition potential. 3H7-TMF shows the fastest (1-h) transport efficiency in intestinal cells. The Caco-2 cell model exhibits significant transport and absorption efficiency. Dissolved hydroxyl-TMF with hydrophilicity possibly permeates the gut. 3H7-TMF has higher transport efficiency (46%) 3H6-TMF (39%). IC₅₀ values of TMFs (78-TMF, 57-TMF, 3H7-TMF, 3H6-TMF) against CYP enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4) range from 0.15 to 108 μM, indicating potent inhibition. Hydroxyl groups enhance TMF hydrophilicity and membrane permeability. TMFs display varied inhibitory effects due to hydroxyl and methoxy hindrance. This study underscores the strong CYP inhibitory capabilities in these TMFs, implying potential food–drug interactions if used in medicines or supplements. These findings can also help with food nutrition improvement and pharma food developments through innovative approaches for Citrus waste valorization. Full article

Cost prediction can provide a pharma supply chain industry with completing their projects on schedule and within budget. This paper provides a new multi-function Blockchain Technology-enabled Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (BT-enabled PSC) mathematical cost model, including PSC costs, BT costs, and uncertain demand. The purpose of this study is to find the most appropriate algorithm(s) with minimum prediction errors to predict the costs of the BT-enabled PSC model. This paper also aims to determine the importance and cost of each component of the multi-function model. To reach these goals, we combined four Supervised Learning algorithms (KNN, DT, SVM, and NB) with two Evolutionary Computation algorithms (HS and PSO) after data generation. Each component of the multi-function model has its importance, and we applied the Feature Weighting approach to analyze their importance. Next, four performance metrics evaluated the multi-function model, and the Total Ranking Score determined predictive algorithms with high reliability. The results indicate the HS-NB and PSO-NB algorithms perform better than the other six algorithms in predicting the costs of the multi-function model with small errors. The findings also show that the Raw Materials cost has a more substantial influence on the model than the other components. This study also introduces the components of the multi-function BT-enabled PSC model. Full article

The pharmaceutical industry has entered an era of transformation with the emergence of Pharma 4.0, which leverages cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing processes. These hold tremendous potential for enhancing the overall efficiency, safety, and quality of non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), a category of pharmaceutical products that pose unique challenges due to their intricate composition and complex manufacturing requirements. This review attempts to provide insight into the application of select Pharma 4.0 technologies, namely machine learning, in silico modeling, and 3D printing, in the manufacturing process of NBCDs. Specifically, it reviews the impact of these tools on NBCDs such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, glatiramer acetate, iron carbohydrate complexes, and nanocrystals. It also addresses regulatory challenges associated with the implementation of these technologies and presents potential future perspectives, highlighting the incorporation of digital twins in this field of research as it seems to be a very promising approach, namely for the optimization of NBCDs manufacturing processes. Full article

Nowadays, amino acids (AAs) and peptides with bulky side chains hold significant interest for organic synthesis and the modern pharma industry. Non-proteinogenic (or unnatural) AAs are key building blocks used for obtaining pharmaceutically relevant peptides and for the development of chiral molecular catalysts, and they are extensively used in the total synthesis of complex natural compounds. Thus, an elaboration of cost-effective methods for the preparation of novel unnatural AAs to increase their structural diversity is highly desirable. In this context, herein, we present an asymmetric metal-templated synthesis of a number of enantiomerically pure (S)-2-amino-2-methyl-5-arylpent-4-ynoic acids starting from commercially available reagents and Belokon’s chiral auxiliary (S)-BPB, namely (S)-2-(N-benzylprolyl)aminobenzophenone. The construction of a chiral Ni(II) complex from alanine (Ala) and the subsequent propargylation, arylation by the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction using various aryl halides, and, finally, an acidic decomposition of the obtained complexes deliver to the target complex α,α-disubstituted AAs featuring a triple bond in a side chain. Next, the Fmoc-protected α-AAs and dipeptide were synthesized. Finally, we examined the obtained α-AAs and peptide as collagenase inhibitors. Full article