A rapid In-Process Control (IPC) test to monitor the functionality of taste masking polymer coatings using Broadband Acoustic Resonance Dissolution Spectroscopy (BARDS)

In this study, the functional polymer loading of the coating process is investigated by testing pellets via BARDS technology (Broadband Acoustic Resonance Dissolution Spectroscopy). The technique offers a rapid approach (<200 s) to characterising functional coatings at-line during their manufacture. Measurements are based on reproducible changes in the compressibility of a solvent during dissolution which is monitored acoustically via associated changes in the frequency of induced acoustic resonances. In case of enteric coatings a steady state acoustic lag time is associated with the erosion of the enteric coatings in acidic dissolution test media. This lag time is indicative of the coating layer thickness, assuming that the quality of the film coating is high. BARDS represents a possible future surrogate test for IPC testing, as a PAT method and possibly also for conventional USP dissolution testing. BARDS data correlate directly with the thickness of the functional coating, its integrity and also with the drug loading as validated by UV-Vis spectroscopy.Graphical abstract
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research