Silpakorn Pharmacy Revolutionizes Drug Analysis with Fivefold Faster Testing Using Green Technology from Sugarcane Bagasse and Coconut Shells
As the world moves toward sustainable development and reduced environmental impact, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Silpakorn University has created an innovative breakthrough by transforming “Thai agricultural residues” into a core component of pharmaceutical quality analysis. The team has successfully developed an environmentally friendly, end-to-end analytical system for the heart and hypertension drug captopril, which not only reduces the use of hazardous chemicals but also cuts analysis time from 14 minutes to just 2.5 minutes.
The research also lays the groundwork for a prototype “green laboratory,” enhancing personnel safety while supporting long-term sustainability. Led by Assoc. Prof. Theerasak Rojanarata, Ph. D., and a research team from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Silpakorn University, the project has transformed conventional drug analysis—traditionally reliant on hazardous chemicals—by switching to bioethanol produced from sugarcane molasses. The bioethanol, supported by Mitr Phol Bio Fuel Co., Ltd., significantly reduces operating costs and occupational risks. In addition, the team developed a comprehensive laboratory waste management approach using activated carbon derived from coconut shells, supported by Coconut Carbon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. This material can adsorb pharmaceutical residues from wastewater with up to 99% efficiency within just five minutes, demonstrating a highly effective and sustainable solution.
The initiative helps prevent pharmaceutical contamination of the environment and serves as a strong example of how agricultural by-products can be repurposed in line with the circular economy concept. Assoc. Prof. Theerasak Rojanarata, Ph. D., the project leader, said, “When sustainability is no longer an option but the new direction of the world, this research presents a prototype for a new role of the pharmacy profession—one that goes beyond ensuring access to quality medicines to actively contributing to environmental protection through green processes and the advancement of a circular economy, creating a sustainable balance among people, the economy, society, and the environment.”
Prof. Porasak Sriamornsak, Ph. D., Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Silpakorn University, said, “This research is a clear example of innovation that effectively integrates pharmaceutical science with sustainability principles. The Faculty of Pharmacy is committed to advancing drug analysis technologies that are safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible, helping Thailand move toward becoming a regional hub for green pharmaceutical innovation. We believe that pharmaceutical innovation should not only heal patients, but also help protect the planet.”
This research achievement marks a significant milestone for Thailand’s pharmaceutical sector and aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The study has been published in Pharmaceutical Sciences, a Scopus Q1–indexed journal, and its graphical abstract was selected as the journal’s cover image for the October 2025 issue, underscoring the international caliber of Thai researchers. The project is the result of collaboration between the Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University, and New Charoen Pharmaceutical Limited Partnership, with research funding support from the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMU-C) under the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) framework, as well as internal funding from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Silpakorn University. Together, these partners are driving the development of sustainable green innovation within Thailand’s pharmaceutical industry.
