Microparticles were now widely prepared to increase solubility, dissolution enhancement, to improve flow property of powders etc. The present investigation was aimed to prepare microparticles of fenofibrate, poorly water soluble drug, using spray drying technique. Fenofibrate, lipid lowing agent, was selected as model drug. Microparticles of fenofibrate were prepared by incorporating poloxamer 407 as solubilizing agent. Box-Behnken experimental design was used to prepare and optimize factors affecting during development of microparticles using spray drying technique. Atomizing air pressure (X1), feed rate (X2) and polymer: drug ratio (X3) was selected as independent variables, while microparticle size (µm) and T90% (min) was selected as response to the independent variable. Optimization of formulation of microparticles was done by multiple linear regression analysis. Design Expert 8.0.2 demo version was used to generate polynomial and second order equation for optimization. Optimized batch of microparticles was evaluated for physical characterization using DSC, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Atomizing air pressure and polymer: drug ratio was affected microparticle properties. Microparticle size was decreased as the level of atomizing air pressure was changed from lower to higher. T90% was decreased as change in value of polymer: drug ratio and atomizing air pressure. At higher atomizing air pressure microparticles size was decreased, hence, increased wetting of microparticles and dissolution of fenofibrate.
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