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Anuschek M, Skelbæk-Pedersen AL, Skibsted E, Kvistgaard Vilhelmsen T, Axel Zeitler J, Rantanen J. THz-TDS as a PAT tool for monitoring blend homogeneity in pharmaceutical manufacturing of solid oral dosage forms: A proof-of-concept study. Int J Pharm 2024; 662:124534. [PMID: 39079591 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
The process analytical technology (PAT) framework is well established and integral to facilitate process understanding, enable a transition from batch to continuous manufacturing, and improve product quality. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been established as a standard PAT tool for many process analytical challenges, including monitoring powder blend homogeneity. However, alternative technologies for monitoring powder blending are of interest due to the importance of the blending step in manufacturing solid oral dosage forms. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is therefore explored in this study as an alternative tool for monitoring blend homogeneity with the potential for endpoint control in a batch blending process. Powder blends of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate and blends of MCC and granulated α-lactose monohydrate were investigated non-invasively at various compositions using THz-TDS in transmission mode for acquiring spectra from samples enclosed in the blending container. It was found that attenuation- and phase-related parameters acquired with THz-TDS could reliably resolve physical changes related to the homogeneity of the blend. Further evaluations revealed that changes in the bulk density of the blend, in addition to the intrinsic optical properties of the materials, played a critical role in the observed trends for both systems. In contrast, the scattering contribution of the powder was mainly crucial for the attenuation-related parameter in blends with materials of high refractive indices. Finally, THz-TDS measurements were acquired throughout a blending process mimicking a continuous acquisition. The method could follow blending dynamics and resulted in reasonable predictive errors of the content of 0.5 - 2.5 %. Relative standard deviations for high content blends (20 %) were acceptable (3 - 7 %) whereas at low contents (5 %) significantly higher values (9 - 35 %) were found. Based on these findings, THz-TDS is a feasible PAT tool for monitoring blend homogeneity and controlling high content blend processes, although precision and accuracy is considered to improve with a more suitable interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Anuschek
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk A/S, ET Oral Product Development, Måløv, Denmark.
| | | | - Erik Skibsted
- Novo Nordisk A/S, ET Oral Product Development, Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - J Axel Zeitler
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jukka Rantanen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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Dias RC, Korhonen O, Ketolainen J, Ervasti T, Lopes JA. The effect of process parameters on a continuous blending process monitored in-line by near-infrared spectroscopy. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024:106890. [PMID: 39214317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The continuous feeding-mixing system ensures the composition uniformity down to the tableting continuous manufacturing line so that a quality end-product is consistently delivered. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) enables in-line assessment of the blend's critical quality attributes in real-time. In this study, the effect of total feed rate and impeller speed on the continuous blending process monitored in-line by NIRS was examined by principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Process data were generated by a factorial experimental design with process parameters and a constant formulation comprised of: 30% (wt/wt) ibuprofen, 67.5% (wt/wt) microcrystalline cellulose, 2% (wt/wt) of sodium starch glycolate and 0.5% (wt/wt) of magnesium stearate. The PCA hinted at the prevalence of impeller speed effect on ibuprofen concentration due to path length variation of the NIR light caused by the fluidized behaviour in the powder blend as a result of high speed ranges (>300 rpm). The ASCA model indicated that while both impeller speed and total feed rate effects were statistically significant (p-value=0.004), the impeller speed was the factor that contributed the most to the spectral variance (55.5%). The PLS regression model for the ibuprofen content resulted in a RMSECV of 1.3% (wt/wt) and showed that impeller speed was yet again the factor that exerted the major influence on spectral variance, owing to its wavelength-dependent effect that prevents common pre-processing techniques from eliminating it across the entire NIR range. The best sample presentation to the NIR probe was achieved at low impeller speed ranges (<600 rpm) and low total feed rates (<15 kg/h), such that it enhanced the PLS model ability to predict the ibuprofen concentration in the blend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute C Dias
- PromisLab, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ossi Korhonen
- PromisLab, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jarkko Ketolainen
- PromisLab, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuomas Ervasti
- PromisLab, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - João A Lopes
- iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
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Khanolkar A, Thorat V, Patil B, Samanta G. Towards a real-time release of blends and tablets using NIR and Raman spectroscopy at commercial scales. Pharm Dev Technol 2023; 28:265-276. [PMID: 36847606 DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2023.2185256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Near Infrared and Raman spectroscopy-based Process Analytical Technology tools were used for monitoring blend uniformity (BU) and content uniformity (CU) for solid oral formulations. A quantitative Partial Least Square model was developed to monitor BU as real-time release testing at a commercial scale. The model having the R2, and root mean square error of 0.9724 and 2.2047, respectively can predict the target concentration of 100% with a 95% confidence interval of 101.85-102.68% even after one year. The tablets from the same blends were investigated for CU using NIR and Raman techniques both in reflection and transmission mode. Raman reflection technique was found to be the best and the PLS model was developed using tablets compressed at different concentrations, hardness, and speed. The model with R2 and RMSE of 0.9766 and 1.9259, respectively was used for the quantification of CU. Both the BU and CU models were validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, and robustness. The accuracy was proved against the HPLC method with a relative standard deviation of less than 3%. The equivalency for BU by NIR and CU by Raman was evaluated using Schuirmann's Two One-sided tests and found equivalent to HPLC within a 2% acceptable limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Khanolkar
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Viraj Thorat
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhaskar Patil
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Gautam Samanta
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Zhou Y, Li F, Sanders C, Samain S, Salman A. Online monitoring of dry powder mixing in a bin mixer. POWDER TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2022.118081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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5
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Khanolkar A, Patil B, Thorat V, Samanta G. Development of Inline Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Method for Real-Time Monitoring of Blend Uniformity of Direct Compression and Granulation-Based Products at Commercial Scales. AAPS PharmSciTech 2022; 23:235. [PMID: 36002672 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-022-02392-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Blending is a critical intermediate unit operation for all solid oral formulations. For blend uniformity testing, API content in the blend must be quantified precisely. A detailed study was conducted to demonstrate the suitability of inline NIR (near-infrared) spectroscopy for blend uniformity testing of two solid oral formulations: existing direct compression (DC) product with a multistep blending process and granulation-based product with API granules. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were developed at a laboratory scale using statistical moving block standard deviation (MBSD) and multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression. The qualitative MBSD method demonstrated that there was no need for multiple steps for the existing DC product. Hence, a simplified single-step process was developed for blending. Quantitative PLS models for blending processes of both the products were developed, validated, and successfully implemented at a commercial scale for the real-time release of blends. Results obtained from the validated model were in good agreement with the current method of sampling and chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Khanolkar
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd., Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhaskar Patil
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd., Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
| | - Viraj Thorat
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd., Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
| | - Gautam Samanta
- QbD Department, Integrated Product Development, Cipla Ltd., Maharashtra, Mumbai, India.
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Wilson K, Briens L. Investigation of passive acoustic emissions during powder mixing in a V-blender. POWDER TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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7
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Zhong L, Gao L, Li L, Nei L, Wei Y, Zhang K, Zhang H, Yin W, Xu D, Zang H. Method development and validation of a near-infrared spectroscopic method for in-line API quantification during fluidized bed granulation. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 274:121078. [PMID: 35248859 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an excellent process analytical technology (PAT) tool for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) quantification during fluidized granulation. Therefore, a portable near-infrared spectrometer combined with a new innovative method of extended iterative optimization technique (EIOT) was used to in-line monitor the API content uniformity during fluidized bed granulation. The principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were also used to characterize and predict API concentration with changes from 75% to 125% of the label claim to prove the superiority of EIOT. The API content prediction accuracy of the EIOT method was verified through offline High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) measurement. Also, the spatial distribution of API in granules was visualized by Raman imaging technology. The results showed that the established NIRS method was suitable for the prediction of API content in fluidized bed granulation, which provides a new idea for the determination of API content during granulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhong
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lele Gao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lian Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Nei
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yongheng Wei
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Kefan Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Wenping Yin
- Shandong SMA Pharmatech Co., Ltd, 165, Huabei Rd., High & New Technology Zone, Zibo, Shandong 0533, China
| | - Dongbo Xu
- Shandong SMA Pharmatech Co., Ltd, 165, Huabei Rd., High & New Technology Zone, Zibo, Shandong 0533, China
| | - Hengchang Zang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Drug Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China; National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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8
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Biagi D, Nencioni P, Valleri M, Calamassi N, Mura P. Development of a Near Infrared Spectroscopy method for the in-line quantitative bilastine drug determination during pharmaceutical powders blending. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 204:114277. [PMID: 34332309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s guidelines and the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) approach conceptualize the idea of real time monitoring of a process, with the primary objective of improvement of quality and also of time and resources saving. New instruments are needed to perform an efficient PAT process control and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), thanks to its rapid and drastic development of last years, could be a very good choice, in virtue of its high versatility, speed of analysis, non-destructiveness and absence of sample chemical treatment. This work was aimed to develop a NIR analytical method for bilastine assay in powder mixtures for direct compression. In particular, the use of NIR instrumentation should allow to control the bilastine concentration and the whole blending process, assuring the achievement of a homogeneous blend. The commercial tablet formulation of bilastine was particularly suitable for this purpose, due to its simple composition (four excipients) and direct compression manufacturing process. Calibration and validation set were prepared according to a Placket-Burman experimental design and acquired with a miniaturized NIR in-line instrument (MicroNIR by Viavi Solution Inc.). Chemometric was applied to optimize information extraction from spectra, by subjecting them to a Standard Normal Variate (SNV) and a Savitzky-Golay second derivative pre-treatment. This spectra pre-treatment, combined with the most suitable wavelength interval (resulted between 1087 and 1217 nm), enabled to obtain a Partial Least Square (PLS) model with a good predictive ability. The selected model, tried on laboratory and production batches, provided in both cases good assay predictions. Results were confirmed by traditional HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) content uniformity test on the final product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Biagi
- Menarini Manufacturing Logistic and Services s.r.l. (AMMLS), Via dei Sette Santi 1/3, 50131, Florence, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| | - Paolo Nencioni
- Menarini Manufacturing Logistic and Services s.r.l. (AMMLS), Via dei Sette Santi 1/3, 50131, Florence, Italy
| | - Maurizio Valleri
- Menarini Manufacturing Logistic and Services s.r.l. (AMMLS), Via dei Sette Santi 1/3, 50131, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Calamassi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, via del Liceo 1, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paola Mura
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
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9
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Zhong L, Gao L, Li L, Zang H. Trends-process analytical technology in solid oral dosage manufacturing. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 153:187-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Bowler AL, Bakalis S, Watson NJ. A review of in-line and on-line measurement techniques to monitor industrial mixing processes. Chem Eng Res Des 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2019.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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Raw Material Variability and Its Impact on the Online Adaptive Control of Cohesive Powder Blend Homogeneity Using NIR Spectroscopy. Processes (Basel) 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/pr7090568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is significant to analyze the blend homogeneity of cohesive powders during pharmaceutical manufacturing in order to provide the exact content of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for each individual dose unit. In this paper, an online monitoring platform using an MEMS near infrared (NIR) sensor was designed to control the bin blending process of cohesive powders. The state of blend homogeneity was detected by an adaptive algorithm, which was calibration free. The online control procedures and algorithm’s parameters were fine-tuned through six pilot experiments and were successfully transferred to the industrial production. The reliability of homogeneity detection results was validated by 16 commercial scale experiments using 16 kinds of natural product powders (NPPs), respectively. Furthermore, 19 physical quality attributes of all NPPs and the excipient were fully characterized. The blending end time was used to denote the degree of difficulty of blending. The empirical relationships between variability of NPPs and the blending end time were captured by latent variable modeling. The critical material attributes (CMAs) affecting the blending process were identified as the particle shape and flowability descriptors of cohesive powders. Under the framework of quality by design (QbD) and process analytical technology (PAT), the online NIR spectroscopy together with the powder characterization facilitated a deeper understanding of the mixing process.
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12
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Crouter A, Briens L. Methods to Assess Mixing of Pharmaceutical Powders. AAPS PharmSciTech 2019; 20:84. [PMID: 30673887 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-018-1286-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmaceutical manufacturing process consists of several steps, each of which must be monitored and controlled to ensure quality standards are met. The level of blending has an impact on the final product quality; therefore, it is important to be able to monitor blending progress and identify an end-point. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry assesses blend content and uniformity through the extraction of samples using thief probes followed by analytical methods, such as spectroscopy, to determine the sample composition. The development of process analytical technologies (PAT) can improve product monitoring with the aim of increasing efficiency, product quality and consistency, and creating a better understanding of the manufacturing process. Ideally, these are inline methods to remove issues related to extractive sampling and allow direct monitoring of the system using various sensors. Many technologies have been investigated, including spectroscopic techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy, velocimetric techniques that may use tracers, tomographic techniques, and acoustic emissions monitoring. While some techniques have demonstrated potential, many have significant disadvantages including the need for equipment modification, specific requirements of the material, expensive equipment, extensive analysis, the location of the probes may be critical and/or invasive, and lastly, the technique may only be applicable to the development phase. Both the advantages and disadvantages of the technologies should be considered in application to a specific system.
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Mohan S, Momose W, Katz JM, Hossain MN, Velez N, Drennen JK, Anderson CA. A robust quantitative near infrared modeling approach for blend monitoring. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2018; 148:51-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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14
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Mechanistic approach in powder blending PAT: Bi-layer mixing and asymptotic end point prediction. POWDER TECHNOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2016.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Wahl P, Pucher I, Scheibelhofer O, Kerschhaggl M, Sacher S, Khinast J. Continuous monitoring of API content, API distribution and crushing strength after tableting via near-infrared chemical imaging. Int J Pharm 2017; 518:130-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Fonteyne M, Vercruysse J, De Leersnyder F, Besseling R, Gerich A, Oostra W, Remon JP, Vervaet C, De Beer T. Blend uniformity evaluation during continuous mixing in a twin screw granulator by in-line NIR using a moving F-test. Anal Chim Acta 2016; 935:213-23. [PMID: 27543030 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2016.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study focuses on the twin screw granulator of a continuous from-powder-to-tablet production line. Whereas powder dosing into the granulation unit is possible from a container of preblended material, a truly continuous process uses several feeders (each one dosing an individual ingredient) and relies on a continuous blending step prior to granulation. The aim of the current study was to investigate the in-line blending capacity of this twin screw granulator, equipped with conveying elements only. The feasibility of in-line NIR (SentroPAT, Sentronic GmbH, Dresden, Germany) spectroscopy for evaluating the blend uniformity of powders after the granulator was tested. Anhydrous theophylline was used as a tracer molecule and was blended with lactose monohydrate. Theophylline and lactose were both fed from a different feeder into the twin screw granulator barrel. Both homogeneous mixtures and mixing experiments with induced errors were investigated. The in-line spectroscopic analyses showed that the twin screw granulator is a useful tool for in-line blending in different conditions. The blend homogeneity was evaluated by means of a novel statistical method being the moving F-test method in which the variance between two blocks of collected NIR spectra is evaluated. The α- and β-error of the moving F-test are controlled by using the appropriate block size of spectra. The moving F-test method showed to be an appropriate calibration and maintenance free method for blend homogeneity evaluation during continuous mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Fonteyne
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jurgen Vercruysse
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fien De Leersnyder
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Jean Paul Remon
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chris Vervaet
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas De Beer
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, Ghent, Belgium.
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Bakri B, Weimer M, Hauck G, Reich G. Assessment of powder blend uniformity: Comparison of real-time NIR blend monitoring with stratified sampling in combination with HPLC and at-line NIR Chemical Imaging. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2015; 97:78-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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