Abstract
Crystal size, shape and form are critical factors
governing the quality and safety of pharmaceutical
products, with variation during crystal growth impacting
downstream processes. Monitoring of crystallization is
therefore paramount in ensuring end-product quality. In
this work, a microscopy probe employing both bright field
and PlasDIC techniques was developed as a process
analytical technology to acquire and analyze crystal
features under real-time conditions. The design benefits
from not requiring electronics in the immersible
component of the probe. Image analysis algorithms were
developed and tested on glass sphere standards,
illustrating the ability of these techniques to monitor
size-shape features in situ. Lysozyme and taurine
crystals as well as thin and transparent crystals of
benzoic acid were monitored. Overall, the system in
conjunction with image analysis techniques tracked the
crystallization progress and identified complex shape
features. Future incorporation of fast, automated edge
detection and segmentation procedures would help with
higher particle concentrations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-74 |
Journal | Chemical Engineering Journal |
Volume | 300 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- PlasDIC
- Process analytical technology (PAT)
- Image analysis
- Crystallization
- Particle size-shape
- Image processing