Oxygen Scavengers: The Invisible Protectors in Pharmaceutical Packaging
July 21, 2024
Keeping medicines safe and effective is critically important in the pharmaceutical industry. One way to do this is by using special packaging that protects the medicine inside: oxygen scavengers.
Oxygen scavengers are like invisible protectors that help keep medicines fresh and effective by removing oxygen from the packaging. In this blog, we’ll explore what oxygen scavengers are, why they are important, how they’re different from desiccants, and how they help protect medicines.
What Are Oxygen Scavengers?
Oxygen scavengers are materials that remove oxygen from packaging to protect products like medicines. Just like desiccants remove moisture, oxygen scavengers target oxygen to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of products.
The main difference between oxygen scavengers and desiccants lies in their targets and mechanisms. Desiccants work by absorbing water molecules from the air, reducing the moisture level inside the packaging. This helps prevent products from becoming damp and protects them from mold, mildew, and other moisture-related issues.
On the other hand, oxygen scavengers react with oxygen molecules to remove them from the environment. This reaction often involves a chemical process where the scavenger binds with oxygen, creating a compound that is no longer harmful to the product. This is crucial for products that are sensitive to oxidation, which can cause chemical changes that degrade the product's quality and effectiveness.
The Importance of Controlling Oxygen in Pharmaceutical Packaging
Oxygen can cause significant problems for many medicines. Here are some examples of how it affects different types of medicines:
- Vitamins: Oxygen can make vitamins lose their potency, meaning they won’t work as well.
- Antibiotics: Oxygen can cause antibiotics to break down and become less effective.
- Pain relievers: Oxygen exposure can change the chemical structure of pain relievers, making them less effective or even harmful.
- Probiotics: These friendly bacteria can die if exposed to too much oxygen, making them useless.
By controlling the amount of oxygen in the packaging, oxygen scavengers help keep these medicines effective and safe for a longer time.
Types of Oxygen Scavengers and Their Applications
Oxygen scavengers come in various types, each designed to remove oxygen from packaging and protect products.
Iron-Based Oxygen Scavengers
Iron-based oxygen scavengers are commonly used and work by oxidizing iron powder to form iron oxide, effectively removing oxygen. They are ideal for packaging dry pharmaceutical products like powders and tablets, which are susceptible to oxidation. These scavengers can be used in various forms, such as sachets, labels, and bottle caps.
Enzyme-Based Oxygen Scavengers
Enzyme-based oxygen scavengers use natural enzymes, typically glucose oxidase, to remove oxygen by converting it into gluconic acid and water. These scavengers are perfect for moisture-sensitive products like liquid medications and probiotics.
Their non-toxic nature makes them safe for pharmaceutical use and effective in combination with other moisture-control agents.
Polymer-Based Oxygen Scavengers
Polymer-based oxygen scavengers, such as Colorcon’s PharmaKeep®, are innovative because they do not require moisture to function. This makes them humidity neutral, allowing them to work in both low and high humidity environments and alongside desiccants.
Available in canisters, packets, and bags, PharmaKeep protects pharmaceuticals from oxygen degradation and oxidative reactions, extending shelf life. Their rigid structure also supports high-speed insertion during packaging.
Final Thoughts
Oxygen scavengers are vital for protecting pharmaceutical products from the damaging effects of oxygen. They work by absorbing oxygen from the packaging, keeping medicines fresh and effective.
By understanding the life cycle of oxygen scavengers and using them with high-barrier packaging materials, we can significantly extend the shelf life of medicines. This not only ensures that patients receive the most effective treatments but also helps pharmaceutical companies meet regulatory standards and reduce waste.
