Stability of parenteral nutrition admixtures containing organic phosphates

The use of organic phosphates to avoid calcium phosphate precipitation in parenteral nutrition mixtures has been proposed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of total parenteral nutrition admixtures containing glucose-1-phosphate or glycerol phosphate as the phosphate source over 3 days. Three parenteral nutrition admixtures, each containing glucose-1-phosphate (30.0 mmol), glycerol phosphate (31.4 mmol) or inorganic phosphate (30.0 mmol), and their corresponding aqueous phases were prepared in 3-L ethylene vinyl acetate plastic bags and infusion bottles, and stored at 5 ± 1°C or 22 ± 3°C without light protection. Physical stability analysis and sampling for chemical analysis was performed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Aqueous phases were subjected to physical stability analysis, including pH measurement, visual inspection and nephelometry. Admixtures were subjected to physical stability analysis consisting of pH measurement, and evaluation of emulsion stability by visual inspection, degree of creaming, phase contrast microscopy, zone sensing technique and photon correlation spectroscopy. Chemical analyses of amino-acids, dextrose, triglycerides, phospholipids, Na, K, Cl, Mg, Ca, glucose-1-phosphate, glycerolphosphate and inorganic phosphate were performed. No precipitation was detected in any of the aqueous phases. Admixtures remained acceptable with respect to visual and microscopic appearance, mean droplet diameter and droplet size distribution. All nutrient concentrations assayed in the three admixtures remained constant over the study period. Total parenteral nutrition admixtures for adult patients containing glucose-1-phosphate or glycerolphosphate are physically and chemically stable for 3 days when stored under refrigeration or controlled room temperature without light protection.