On-line monitoring of fluid bed granulation by photometric imaging

Ira Soppela, Osmo Antikainen, Niklas Sandler, Jouko Yliruusi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper introduces and discusses a photometric surface imaging approach for on-line monitoring of fluid bed granulation. Five granule batches consisting of paracetamol and varying amounts of lactose and microcrystalline cellulose were manufactured with an instrumented fluid bed granulator. Photometric images and NIR spectra were continuously captured on-line and particle size information was extracted from them. Also key process parameters were recorded. The images provided direct real-time information on the growth, attrition and packing behaviour of the batches. Moreover, decreasing image brightness in the drying phase was found to indicate granule drying. The changes observed in the image data were also linked to the moisture and temperature profiles of the processes. Combined with complementary process analytical tools, photometric imaging opens up possibilities for improved real-time evaluation fluid bed granulation. Furthermore, images can give valuable insight into the behaviour of excipients or formulations during product development.
    Original languageUndefined/Unknown
    Pages (from-to)879–885
    JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
    Volume88
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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