title: Particle size determination by automated microscopical imaging analysis with comparison to laser diffraction.
abstract: A rapid and precise microscopical analysis technique for the determination of particle size distribution has been developed. Particle size distribution was determined with a Carl Zeiss Axioplan microscope equipped with a computer-controlled image analysis system. Area and volume measurements were performed on a number of particles and plotted against Feret's diameter to yield a distribution histogram. This technique was then applied to several compounds of pharmaceutical interest, and the resulting histograms were compared with histograms determined with a laser diffraction instrument. The reproducibility of the microscopical determination was good and the agreement between the two determinations was dependent on the crystalline shape.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Assurance Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., Nutley, NJ 07110-1199, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramsland
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007834:Lasers; D008853:Microscopy; D010316:Particle Size; D011344:Procarbazine; D013229:Stearic Acids
chemical_list: D013229:Stearic Acids; D011344:Procarbazine; C031183:stearic acid