Application of microwave and near infrared electromagnetic radiation in pharmaceutical technological processes and investigations

Aim of my work was to broaden the applicability of microwave and NIR techniques in the pharmaceutical technology. Spectroscopic methods relying on the NIR wavelength range can be applied in many analytical investigations connected to pharmaceutical technology, while microwaves are beneficial when controlled heating or moisture detection of total volumes are in concern. During my investigations I have studied the possibility of completive application of these two techniques in pharmaceutical technology.; I have investigated the process of scale-up in a microwave vacuum granulating instrument, with special interest in the radiation dose - effect relations. As a result, it was possible to numerically characterize the nonadditive permittivity properties of multicomponent systems.; With the combined application of microwave moisture determinations and NIR spectroscopy I have investigated the changes during the moistening of a model active ingredient. Relying on the findings it can be concluded that during moistening chemical reactions take place as well due to secondary chemical (H-bridge) bonds.; I have shown the disparate behavior of pharmaceutical excipients during microwave drying. Relying on the rate constants derived from the drying kinetic experiments, I have sorted the materials into different groups. This grouping was in good correlation with the behavior that the materials showed during moistening and drying.; With nondestructive NIR spectroscopy I have determined the active ingredient and excipient content of powders and tablets compressed from them. Applicability of the method was verified with HPLC measurements.; A new off-line coupling of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) to NIR spectroscopy has been developed for qualitative and quantitative pharmaceutical analytical NIR spectroscopic determination of model substances following rapid separation. With the new coupled technique OPLC can be amplified with NIR spectral informations.