Green and sustainable pharma

Jellyfish overpopulation represents an ecological challenge but also a renewable source of high-value biomaterials. This study investigates polysaccharides extracted from Rhizostoma pulmo (RP-JSP) as sustainable glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-like alternatives for advanced dermal applications. A fully green workflow was developed by integrating microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with a chloroform-free deproteinization strategy based on cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), replacing the conventional Sevag method while preserving structural and functional features. RP-JSP green maintained sulfate content and polysaccharide integrity, showing protein removal efficiency comparable to the traditional process. Biological evaluation on fibroblasts and keratinocytes demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility and significant enhancement of cell migration, achieving near-complete scratch closure within 48 h. Under oxidative stress, RP-JSP preserved 80–90% cell viability, comparable to gallic acid, highlighting their antioxidant potential. When incorporated into acrylate-endcapped urethane-based (AUP) hydrogels and electrospun fibers, JSP retained their bioactivity and accelerated wound-closure dynamics. Overall, RP-JSP obtained through a sustainable purification protocol emerge as biocompatible, functionally effective, and environmentally responsible GAG-like biomaterials, suitable for next-generation dermal therapeutics and wound-healing platforms.

Granulation is a standard unit operation in pharmaceutical technology to tailor the particle size distribution of a bulk material. Recently, the focus has been on the continuous operation as processing in dynamic steady state conditions reduces quality fluctuations contributing to economical sustainability. In this context, twin-screw wet granulation has been established as gold standard. Despite the applied machine, general challenges for this method in terms of ecological sustainability are the use of the resource water and an energy-intensive, subsequent drying of the granules. An innovative strategy to overcome these hurdles is to utilize potassium sodium tartrate (PST) as granulation aid. However, as this concept is rather new, fundamental aspects still need to be elucidated. Consequently, the focus of this study was on the systematic design of continuous reaction-induced wet granulation on a twin-screw granulator.

Synthetic Polymer Microparticles (SPMs) are highly stable and persist in the environment. They accumulate in ecosystems and pose risks to biodiversity and human health. The EU introduced a REACH restriction in 2023 to reduce microplastic emissions by 30% by 2030. Medicinal products are exempt from the ban, but excipient suppliers and manufacturers must provide identity, use, and disposal information from October 2025. Annual reporting to ECHA will start in May 2027. SPMs are defined by particle size (≤5 mm or length ≤15 mm with aspect ratio >3) and polymer content (≥1% w/w). Exclusions apply for natural, water-soluble (>2 g/L), or biodegradable polymers. Compliance requires a tiered approach: start with paper-based screening, then test particle size and solubility. If exclusions are not confirmed, biodegradability testing is required. Methods range from Group 1 (simple) to Group 5 (complex), increasing in environmental relevance. Regarding commonly used superdisintegrants, Primojel® (sodium starch glycolate) demonstrated ready biodegradation. Primellose® (croscarmellose sodium) requires further testing. Harmonized methods and clear guidance are essential for regulatory compliance and environmental safety.