title: Using multiple Process Analytical Technology probes to monitor multivitamin blends in a tableting feed frame.
abstract: As Process Analytical Technology (PAT) implementation grows in the pharmaceutical industry, more studies are being performed to evaluate its suitability in new applications and processes within the manufacturing chain. As the last step in tablet production, the compression stage represents a critical phase that ensures product quality. In-line control put in place at this stage has the potential to detect powder blends that are out of specification limits and, thus, help to improve product quality. The objectives of the present project are to quantify the composition of a commercial 31-component multivitamin powder blend in real time on an industrial feed frame, using 3 different PAT tools: light-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, near infrared spectroscopy and red, green and blue color imaging. To do so, the concentrations of 5 components (Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Ferrous Fumarate, Ginseng and Ascorbic Acid) were alternately changed and monitored with one or many probes. Transition periods between batches served to quantify different powder flow dynamics with sequential composition step changes. The results showed that 4 out of 5 components, each present in commercially-relevant concentrations, could be monitored by one or more tools. Flow dynamics were measured and found to vary significantly in different powder blends.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering, Pfizer Industrial Research Chair, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université,l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec , Canada J1K 2R1.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Durão
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering, Pfizer Industrial Research Chair, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université,l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec , Canada J1K 2R1.
authors.forename: Clémence
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fauteux-Lefebvre
authors.affiliation: Process Analytical Sciences Group, Pfizer Canada (Montreal), 1025 boulevard Marcel-Laurin, Saint-Laurent, Quebec , Canada H4R 1J6.
authors.forename: Jean-Maxime
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering, Pfizer Industrial Research Chair, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université,l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec , Canada J1K 2R1.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abatzoglou
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biotechnological Engineering, Pfizer Industrial Research Chair, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université,l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec , Canada J1K 2R1. Electronic address: ryan.gosselin@usherbrooke.ca.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gosselin
keywords: Kinetics; Monitoring; Multivitamin; PAT; Pharmaceutical; Tablet press