REMOVAL OF PARACETAMOL IN SIMULATED GASTRIC FLUID USING THE COCOA NIB-BASED ACTIVATED CARBON
Authors: Khairul A. N., Fisal A., Mohd Sukri H., Mohd Azmier A., Khairunisa N.
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 13(2)/2021
Keywords: Activated carbon, paracetamol, analgesic, cocoa nibs, overdose
Published On: 1/11/2021
Abstract
Analgesic is non-narcotic type of drug that allowed to be used by the laws of Malaysia without a doctor's supervision. Such drugs are available in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. Paracetamol is the most frequently used analgesic. It is known as over-the-counter medication in various countries as well as in Malaysia. Many analgesic medications such as paracetamol often lead to poisoning due to improper use. Data gathered from Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) from 2005 to 2009 recorded 1,410 cases of paracetamol overdose. There have been numerous researches done to study the ways to reduce this problem. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the potential of cocoa nib-based activated carbon to help remove the drug in the body system. The activated carbon was found to have an adsorption capacity of 48.32 mg/g with its percentage removal of 96.27 % at pH 3 where the initial concentration of paracetamol was 100 mg/L in 50 mL of solution. The final concentration of paracetamol left at the end of the experiment was low (3.37 mg/L). The removal efficiency of paracetamol was found to decrease with increase in pH value indicating the suitability of its usage in stomach environment which usually at high acidic value. The findings had demonstrated the potential of cocoa nib-based activated carbon in emergency treatment of paracetamol overdose.