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Biomedical subjects

Paulo Costa

Publications and source records attributed to Paulo Costa.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Compressed mini-tablets as a biphasic delivery system.

Compressed mini-tablets systems are presented as a biphasic delivery system designed for zero-order sustained drug release. The outer layer that fills the void spaces between the mini-tablets was formulated to release the drug in a very short time (fast release), while the mini-tablets provided a prolonged release. Different composition (HPMC or EC) and number (10 or 21) of mini-tablets were used to obtain different drug release rates. The in vitro performance of these systems showed the desired biphasic behaviour: the drug contained in the fast releasing phase (powder enrobing the mini-tablets) dissolved within the first 2 min, whereas the drug contained in the mini-tablets was released at different rates, depending up on formulation. Based on the release kinetic parameters calculated, it can be concluded that mini-tablets containing HPMC were particularly suitable approaching to zero-order (constant) release over 8h time periods.

Algorithms↗

Directly compressed mini matrix tablets containing ibuprofen: preparation and evaluation of sustained release.

Directly compressed mini tablets were produced containing either hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or ethylcellulose (EC) as release controlling agent. The dynamics of water uptake and erosion degree of polymer were investigated. By changing the polymer concentration, the ibuprofen release was modified. In identical quantities, EC produced a greater sustaining release effect than HPMC. Different grades of viscosity of HPMC did not modify ibuprofen release. For EC formulations, the contribution of diffusion was predominant in the ibuprofen release process. For HPMC preparations, the drug release approached zero-order during a period of 8 h. For comparative purposes, tablets with 10 mm diameter were produced.

Cellulose↗

Effect of some viticultural parameters on the grape carotenoid profile.

The effect of some viticultural parameters on the grape carotenoid profile was investigated. Grape cultivar, ripeness stage, sunlight and shade exposure, altitude, and vegetative height were studied. Differences between cultivars were observed in eight different black grape varieties: Touriga Brasileira (TBR), Tinta Barroca (TB), Tinta Amarela (TA), Souzão (S), Touriga Franca (TF), Touriga Nacional (TN), Tinta Roriz (TR), and Tinto Cão (TC), from the Douro region. TA and TBR clearly produced higher concentrations of carotenoids. Results showed that carotenoid content decreased during ripening. Decreases of lutein were observed until 66%, whereas beta-carotene slowly decreased, having a constant level until the harvest date. Carotenoid contents were consistently higher in grapes exposed to shade than in those exposed to direct sunlight in both studied white grape varieties, Maria Gomes (MG) and Loureiro (L). In the Douro Valley, high-elevation terraces, which presented a lower temperature and higher humidity during the maturation period, appeared to produce grapes with higher carotenoid values. Grapes grown with higher vegetative height seem to have higher carotenoid levels; furthermore, grapes grown with lower vegetative height had higher weight and sugar concentrations.

Altitude↗