Vitamin plastic container

Vitamin A added to infusions can be absorbed by the plastic containers often used (89). 

Alternatively, the container may contain an opacifying agent, e.g., titanium dioxide. The use of multilayered bags was demonstrated to inhibit photochemical decomposition of vitamin E in TPN fat emulsions (Allwood and Martin, 2000). PVC films discolor on irradiative exposure due to photochemical degradation of the polymer (Hollande and Laurent, 1997). Plastic containers for parenteral use may contain several additives, e.g., antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, impact modifiers, and coloring matter when justified and authorized. In an appendix, the European Pharmacopoeia presents a list of plastic additives that may be used (European Pharmacopoeia, 2002). The additives should not be extracted by the contents in such quantities as to alter efficacy or stability of the product or to present any risk of toxicity (European Pharmacopoeia, 2002). However, organic additives extracted in concentrations below the detection limits of the analytical methods authorized by the European Pharmacopoeia may be sufficient to initiate photosensitized reactions in the formulation. 

As aromatic compounds have been exhausted as building blocks for life science products, A-heterocyclic structures prevail nowadays. They are found in many natural products, such as chlorophyll hemoglobin and the vitamins biotin (H), folic acid, niacin (PP), pyridoxine HCl (Be), riboflavine (B2), and thiamine (Bi). In life sciences 9 of the top 10 proprietary drugs and 5 of the top 10 agrochemicals contain A-heterocycIic moieties (see Tables 11.4 and 11.7). Even modern pigments, such as diphenylpyrazolopyrazoles, quinacri-dones, and engineering plastics, such as polybenzimidazoles, polyimides, and triazine resins, exhibit an A-heterocydic structure. 

Health and Safety Factors. Malononiirilc is usually available as a solidified melt in plastic-lined drums. Remclting has to he done carefully because spontaneous decomposition can occur at elevated temperatures, particularly above lOO C. in the presence of impurities such as alkalies, ammonium, and zinc sails. Occupational exposure to malononitrile mainly occurs by inhalation of vapors and absorption through the skin. Malononitrile has a recommended workplace exposure limn of 8 mg/m Uses. Malononitrile is extensively used in the life sciences industry The most important products ate vitamin B (thiamine) and bensulfuron-melhyl. a sulfonyl urea herbicide. Most other product uses fall under the. V-containing heterocycles. 

Figure 10 Effect of phototherapy (blue) light, Intralipid tat emulsion, and storage container composition on the vitamin A levels in admixtures, (o) Glass, Intralipid (x) plastic. Intralipid ( ) glass. Intralipid+light (+) plastic. Intralipid+light (A) glass ( ) plastic (A) glass+light ( ) plastic+light. Source From Ref. 92.

Formaldehyde has long been used as a disinfectant and as a preservative (including embalming fluid) for biological specimens. Its main use is in the production of certain plastics and in binders for plywood. Many important natural substances are aldehydes and ketones. Examples include sex hormones, some vitamins, camphor, and the flavorings extracted from almonds and cinnamon. Aldehydes contain a carbon-oxygen double bond, so they are very reactive compounds. As a result, they are valuable in organic s)mthesis, particularly in the construction of carbon chains. 

Plastic compositions including vitamin E for medical containers and methods for providing such compositions and containers, intellectual property description (WO/1999/003921). World Intellectual Property Organization 1999. 

Interactions of lipophilic nutrition components with the surfaces of the containers and administration devices may occur. Nutrition components can be adsorbed or absorbed by plastic materials and components of the plastic materials can be leached. Vitamin A is absorbed by polyvinyl chloride containing infusion bags and intravenous tubing [61]. 

The additive loss to the surrounding medium is of great importance for all applications involving the contact of plastic articles with extractive media, by dry cleaning of textiles, and by aqueous media from containers, pipes, tubes, and washing machine parts. Washing out is appreciably faster for aromatic amines than for alkyl phenols. For applications, in contact with food, FDA and BDA regulations recommend liquid antioxidants based on Vitamin E such as BASF Univul. 

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