RSSL Expands Particle Characterization Capabilities

RSSL, a provider of analytical, investigational, consultancy, and training services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors, announced on March 28, 2017 that it has expanded particle characterization capabilities of its physical chemistry department. RSSL has added new equipment for measuring the surface area of powder particles, which is important for determining the performance of excipients and APIs. This measurement is a regulatory requirement for some of the most commonly used excipients. It is also relevant to patent claims.

The new gas sorption instrument is a Micromeritics TriStar II 3020, used to measure specific surface area and determine total pore volume. The equipment is an important addition to the portfolio of particulate characterization techniques available at RSSL, which include laser diffraction, dynamic light scattering, dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), microscopy, and powder flow.

The specific surface area has a significant impact on physicochemical and bulk properties of materials. It affects solubility (dissolution), rate of moisture sorption, and overall chemical reactivity of pharmaceutical APIs and excipients. This property is, therefore, crucial in product performance and optimization. It also provides a useful insight into bulk property and processing issues. The addition of the Tristar II 3020 means that RSSL can now determine specific surface area from as low as 0.001 m²/g using Krypton gas. This new technology allows RSSL to provide comprehensive and data-driven support to the pharmaceutical industry in dealing with challenges in handling powdered materials.

Source: RSSL