A new SeDeM-SLA expert system for screening of solid carriers for the preparation of solidified liquids: A case of citronella oil

Plating of liquids on the solid carrier to convert them into free-flowing powders is a lucrative technique as the solid carriers manifest high surface area, high adsorption capacities, stabilization properties and hence, ease the handling. Thus, selection of a well-qualified carrier as an adsorbent is of utmost importance. This article demonstrates a new SeDeM-SLA (Solid-Liquid Adsorption) expert system for screening of carriers. The original SeDeM tool is modified with two new parameters- Loss on drying is replaced by % oil released and Cohesion Index is replaced by adsorption capacity. The calculated value from the SeDeM-SLA diagram is termed as Index of Good Flow (IGF). In the present case study, citronella oil adsorbates were optimized based on the flow properties, % oil loading and release of the oil. The proposed model was successfully developed and results obtained could be well correlated to mechanism of oil adsorption and carrier properties. [Display omitted] •SeDeM-SLA expert system is proposed for optimization of oil adsorbates.•% oil released and % oil loading are the new parameters.•Index of Good Flow (IGF) is the determining index.•Detailed understanding of the mechanism of adsorption is given.•QbD based model for optimizing plating process for liquid adsorption on solid carriers.