The importance of particle size analysis in pharmaceutics

Particle size represents an imperative process in the pharmaceutical industry because the characteristics of the product, namely size, shape and distribution of the particles can influence its stability, performance and appearance. Even though other manufacturers use it with the purpose to improve the quality of their products and ultimately, ensure their development on the market, in pharmaceutics the goal is more humanitarian. People use drugs when facing health issues and for this reason, companies need to make sure that their products provide results while maintaining safety their number one priority. Consequently, the consistency of a drug is extremely important. Shortly, the products must become adequate for individual use and this process gives the possibility to prevent possible chemical reactions. When it comes to particle size analysis, each technique has different limitations and benefits.

The pharmaceutical industry uses various methods for particle size analysis including laser diffraction and dynamic light scattering by taking a representative sample from the product and proceeding with air or liquid dispersion. The first method consists of passing a laser beam through the sample. The intensity of the laser light is a clue in determining the particle size. Manufacturers use laser diffraction for various products because it offers fast results, which probably makes it the most popular method. Dynamic light scattering is ideal for macromolecules because it enables a detailed examination concerning the size and weight. This method requires the placement of the particle in a liquid for analyzing the changes in motion. Unlike laser diffraction, this technique is more time-consuming.

Other methods include surface area analysis, optical image analysis and sedimentation analysis. Surface area analysis provides information concerning the porosity of drugs in tablet form, which influences the dissolution rate while optical image analysis helps manufacturers acquire details regarding the shape of the particle. Particle characteristics have the power to influence a drug’s behavior. Bioavailability, which refers to the degree at which the body’s circulatory system absorbs the drug, is higher in small particles because dissolution is faster. In terms of dissolution, the surface area of a drug plays a crucial role while uniformity and thickness affect the drug’s performance. To obtain faster processable drugs in tableting systems, particles must have certain shapes that present better flow. This proves the importance of particle size characterization for drugs development.

Considering the importance of particle size process in the pharmaceutics, the goal becomes a major development in terms of instruments that offer the ability to cover a larger variety of particle types and sizes, obtain as much details as possible without too much effort. Professional companies make use of the latest innovations in what concerns the equipment and tools in order to prepare their laboratories for many particle size processes that reveal accurate and specific information. Obviously, specialists with extensive knowledge and years of experience in the field, work shoulder to shoulder, all of them having the purpose to release efficient and safe drugs on the market for customers use because in the end, safety represents the principle on which the pharmaceutical industry is based.

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