Automated Sample Preparation for Tablet Analysis: Metrohm's 815 Robotic Soliprep

1 Sept 2008
Regina Schlink
Manufacturing / Processing

Product news

Before ingredients in pharmaceutical tablets can be determined, sample preparation steps have to be performed that require substantial effort. Automation with Metrohm's 815 Robotic Soliprep speeds up sample preparation while improving reproducibility and accuracy.

Sample preparation can slow you down
The production of pharmaceutical tablets requires proof that the active ingredient content given on the package is valid for each single tablet of a batch. Various analytical techniques such as titration or ion chromatography are used for the highly accurate quantitation of the ingredients. Depending on the shape, coating, auxiliary components used and the concentration of the pharmaceutical ingredient, different sample preparation steps have to be carried out before the analysis proper.

Don?? compromise on quality
The first step is always the thorough homogenization of the tablet in a suitable solvent mixture. Depending on the determination technique applied, steps such as additional dilution or pipetting are required. In many labs these steps are carried out manually, which is not only time-consuming, but can result in carryover and erratic results.

815 Robotic Soliprep increases throughput and improves reproducibility
Using Metrohm's 815 Robotic Soliprep, these problems are all solved by an automated system that performs every sample preparation in exactly the same way. The content of the active ingredient in a single tablet as well as the product conformity of the whole batch can be determined in a fully automated process.

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Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.Medicinal ChemistryMedicinal chemistry is a broad discipline encompassing the design, identification, synthesis and development of chemicals in drug discovery. It includes a number of techniques covering structural biology, synthetic chemistry and molecular biology. Technologies used in medicinal chemistry include ADME, lab-on-a-chip, high content screening and assay assembly.Biopharmaceutical AdvancesBiopharmaceutical advances follow the development of pharmaceuticals derived from biotechnology, also known as biotechnology medicines. Biopharmaceuticals may be produced from cell lines, plants, or microbial cells. Important considerations of biopharmaceutical use include application, cost, production process and purification.Robotic InstrumentsRobotic instruments can be used for high-throughput automation of many lab processes. Such processes use instruments for assays like cell based assays and ELISA, for sample preparation like shakers, centrifuges and incubators, and for analysis such as sequencing and western blot analyzers. Useful features of robotic instruments include speed, reproducibility, barcode readers, software and automation.