Analysis of dissolution test sample solutions

Abstract

A variety of analytical methods are available to perform analysis of sample solutions generated during tablet dissolution testing. These analytical methods have recently been reviewed (1) which shows that the majority of analyses are being performed by on-line UV absorbance measurements using flow-through UV cells. UV measurements are generally used as these are simple and rapid to perform and can be used to establish a real-time release profile. However, simple UV measurements are often insufficient when analysing dosage forms containing excipients that are strongly UV active or when pharmaceutical products contain 2 or more active ingredients. In these circumstances diode-array UV spectrometers may be useful (1) in-conjunction with chemometric treatment of the UV absorbance data generated. Alternatively, a separation technique is used to allow clear quantitation of the analyte(s) of interest. Predominantly the separation technique used has been HPLC (1,2) which is capable of the required sensitivity and high degree of automation necessary to process relative high numbers of sample solutions.