Principles and applications of Raman spectroscopy in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has become increasingly important as an analytical technique in various scientific areas of research and development. This is partly due to the technological advancements in Raman instrumentation and partly due to detailed fingerprinting that can be derived from Raman spectra. Its versatility of applications, rapidness of collection and easy analysis have made Raman spectroscopy an attractive analytical tool.


METHODS
The following review describes Raman spectroscopy and its application within the pharmaceutical industry. The authors explain the theory of Raman scattering and its variations in Raman spectroscopy. The authors also highlight how Raman spectra are interpreted, providing examples.


CONCLUSIONS
Raman spectroscopy has a number of potential applications within drug discovery and development. It can be used to estimate the molecular activity of drugs and to establish a drug's physicochemical properties such as its partition coefficient. It can also be used in compatibility studies during the drug formulation process. Raman spectroscopy's immense potential should be further investigated in future.
Creighton University, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions , 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178 , USA.
Urvi
U
Gala
Harsh
H
Chauhan
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
Raman spectroscopy; drug discovery; formulation development; pharmaceutical industry