CHARACTERIZATION AND PURIFICATION OF NATURAL LAMPUNG ZEOLITE AS A CANDIDATE OF PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS

• Main Author: Nanda Kalista, Nadia
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/44511
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Zeolites are mining commodities having suitable physical and chemical properties to be used as an absorbent, ion exchangers, molecular sieves, and catalysts. Furthermore, zeolite of clinoptilolite type has been developed as pharmaceutical ingredients. Indonesia has the abundance potential of zeolites and hence has possibility to develop pharmaceutical grade zeolites. The aim of this research was to obtain purified natural Lampung zeolite showing suitable characteristics as a pharmaceutical ingredient. Natural zeolite was characterized applying various instrumental methods including AAS, SEM, XRD, TGA and UV/Vis spectrophotometry and then treated and purified by means of washing using dilute HCl, aquabidest and EDTA solutions, respectively and subsequently followed by heating at 350 o C. The purified products were re-characterized applying XRD and TGA methods and analyzed by flame AAS method for determination of their lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels, as well as HVG AAS for arsenic (As). Furthermore, the purified zeolite was tested for its ability to adsorb paracetamol and lead. The results of SEM and XRD analysis confirmed that the composition of zeolite samples were of > 91% clinoptilolite mainly composed of Si, Al and K. Based on TGA analysis, loss of ignition value of the sample was 15%. After washing with 1 M HCl, 0.1 M EDTA and aquabidest, the level of As in each zeolite samples were 4.12 ± 0.75 ppm, < 0.1 ppm and 11.8 ± 0.56 ppm and those of Pb were all < 1 ppm, while those of Cd from all samples were < 1 ppm, respectively. XRD characterization results revealed that no structural changes in zeolite samples were observed after washing and heating treatment. EDTA treated zeolite was able to adsorb Pb in artificial gastric fluid without pepsin effectively as confirmed by reduction in Pb level from 2.10 ppm to 0.23 ppm or equivalent to 89% reduction. However in the case of paracetamol, under the same experimental conditions, this zeolite was failed to adsorb paracetamol effectively, in which the initial 522 ppm concentration was only reduced to 496 ppm or equivalent to 18% reduction. Based on overall result, it was concluded that purified natural Lampung zeolite showing suitable characteristics as a pharmaceutical ingredient was successfully obtained. Washing with 0.1 M EDTA and heating at 350 o C was effectively reduced As, Pb, and Cd level as contaminants in the zeolite sample enabling to improve its quality as pharmaceutical grade material. EDTA-treated zeolite was able to adsorb Pb effectively and hence possibly applied as local antidote in the case of acute Pb intoxication.