Formation of Curcuma xanthorrhiza extract microparticles using supercritical anti solvent precipitation

Curcuma xanthorriza (C. xanthorrizha) is one of the most medicinal plant used in pharmacy and have many scientifically proven health benefits. In this work, C. xanthorrhiza extract was used as starting material to form microparticles. To prevent the rapid oxidation and to enhance stability, bioavailability, and solubility in water, C. xanthorrhiza extract was combined with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to form microparticles using supercritical anti solvent (SAS) precipitation. Acetone was used as solvent while supercritical CO₂ was used as the antisolvent. The effects of pressure and extract-PVP ratio on the particle size and morphology of particles formed were evaluated. The characterization of microparticles included the particles morphology and functional group of bioactive compounds. SAS process was carried out at various pressures of 8, 12, and 16 MPa, various extract/PVP ratios of 1:0, 1:10, and 1:20, constant CO₂ flow rate of 15 mL/min, and constant solution flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The result showed that nanoparticles were successfully produced with particle sizes ranging from 175 ± 95 nm to 376 ± 137 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images described that irregular shape particles were precipitated from C. xanthorrizha extract solution, and spherical shape particles were formed from C. xanthorrizha/PVP solution. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation has successfully applied to realize the internal flow of the nozzle in micronization of SAS process. The results of this work are expected to improve the applications of the bioactive compounds from natural products in pharmaceutical industry.