Use of surface modified natural zeolite (SMNZ) in pharmaceutical preparations Part 1. Mineralogical and technological characterization of some industrial zeolite-rich rocks

The present research accounted for an accurate selection of representative samples from zeolitized deposits of different world geographical areas commonly mined and marketed by American and European mining companies. These geomaterials displayed high contents of clinoptilolite, phillipsite, and chabazite and were deeply characterized from mineralogical, chemical, and technological points of view. A preliminary quality control of the selected materials allowed us to determine the presence of undesired minerals and/or elements. A thermodynamic investigation of the surface exchange reactions between the selected zeolite-rich rocks and the surfactant agents (HDTMA-Br/Cl, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide/chloride, BC-Cl, benzalkonium-chloride, CP-Cl, cetylpiridinum-chloride) enabled us to verify the extent and the compactness of the formed micelle and to foresee their future behavior through interaction with molecules of anti-inflammatory drugs (drug delivery). The encouraging results pave the way towards good perspectives on the possible use of zeolite-rich rocks in the pharmaceutical sector through a preliminary basic protocol for the characterization and monitoring of the batches to be employed