Active content determination of non-coated pharmaceutical pellets by near infrared spectroscopy: Method development, validation and reliability evaluation

A robust near infrared (NIR) method able to quantify the active content of pilot non-coated pharmaceutical pellets was developed. A protocol of calibration was followed, involving 2 operators, independent pilot batches of non-coated pharmaceutical pellets and two different NIR acquisition temperatures. Prediction models based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression were then carried out. Afterwards, the NIR method was fully validated for an active content ranging from 80 to 120% of the usual active content using new independent pilot batches to evaluate the adequacy of the method to its final purpose. Conventional criteria such as the R², the Root Mean Square Error of Calibration (RMSEC), the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP) and the number of PLS factors enabled the selection of models with good predictive potential. However, such criteria sometimes fail to choose the most fitted for purpose model. Therefore, a novel approach based on accuracy profiles of the validation results was used, providing a visual representation of the actual and future performances of the models. Following this approach, the prediction model using signal pre-treatment Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC) was chosen as it showed the best ability to quantify accurately the active content over the 80-120% active content range. The reliability of the NIR method was tested with new pilot batches of non-coated pharmaceutical pellets containing 90 and 110% of the usual active content, with blends of validation batches and industrial batches. All those batches were also analyzed by the HPLC reference method and relative errors were calculated: the results showed low relative errors in full accordance with the results obtained during the validation of the method, indicating the reliability of the NIR method and its interchangeability with the HPLC reference method.     

Near-infrared determination of active substance content in intact low-dosage tablets

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be applied to determine the active substance content of tablets. Its great advantage lies in the minimal sample preparation required, which helps to reduce the potential for error. The aim of this study is to show the feasibility of this method on low-dosage tablets. The influence of various spectral pretreatments [standard normal variate (SNV), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), second derivative (D2), orthogonal signal correction (OSC), separately and combined] and regression methods on prediction error are compared. Partial least square (PLS) regression provided better prediction than principal component regression (PCR). SNV was applied to the first data set and SNV and a second derivative to the second set to maximise model accuracy for quantifying the active substance of intact pharmaceutical products using diffuse reflectance NIR. The models yielded standard errors of prediction (SEP) of 0.1768 and 0.0682 mg for the two products. The experiments were conducted with two low-dosage pharmaceutical forms and results of NIR predictions were comparable to currently approved methods. Diffuse reflectance NIR has the potential to become a reliable and robust quality control method for determining active tablet content.     

中药口服固体制剂原辅料近红外光谱数据库的构建及应用

建立了中药口服固体制剂原辅料近红外(NIR)光谱数据库,采用模式识别方法研究了NIR光谱数据在物料分类和物性预测中的应用。使用便携式近红外光谱仪快速测量149批原辅料粉末的NIR漫反射光谱数据,并录入iTCM数据库。利用主成分分析(PCA)法探究NIR光谱数据对已知结构物料的分类能力,采用偏最小二乘(PLS)法研究了NIR光谱对原辅料物性参数和直接压片片剂性能的预测能力。经标准正态变量变换(SNV)+Savitzky-Golay(SG)平滑+一阶导数处理后的NIR光谱数据对微晶纤维素、乳糖、乙基纤维素、交联聚维酮和羟丙基甲基纤维素这5类辅料的区分能力较好。NIR光谱数据与原辅料粉末粒径、密度和吸湿性的相关性较强。NIR光谱信息作为物料物理性质的补充,可提高粉末直接压片片剂性能预测模型的性能。NIR光谱数据是iTCM数据库物性参数数据的补充,物性参数与NIR光谱数据的结合能更全面地表征原辅料的性质。     

Development and validation of methods for the determination of miokamycin in various pharmaceutical preparations by use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

New methods for the determination of the nominal content of miokamycin in three commercial pharmaceutical preparations available in many different forms are proposed. Solid samples, grinding of which is the sole pretreatment required, are analysed by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, using a fibre-optic probe. The active principle is quantified by partial least-squares regression (PLSR). The three proposed methods were validated with a view to their use as control methods; the selectivity of the method, and the repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy, linearity and robustness of each PLSR calibration model used were determined. The relative standard error of prediction (RSEP) was < 1.5% and the validation results testify to the suitability of the proposed methods.     

A wavelength selection method based on random decision particle swarm optimization with attractor for near‐infrared spectral quantitative analysis

In this paper, we proposed a wavelength selection method based on random decision particle swarm optimization with attractor for near‐infrared (NIR) spectra quantitative analysis. The proposed method was incorporated with partial least square (PLS) to construct a prediction model. The proposed method chooses the current own optimal or the current global optimal to calculate the attractor. Then the particle updates its flight velocity by the attractor, and the particle state is updated by the random decision with the new velocity. Moreover, the root‐mean‐square error of cross‐validation is adopted as the fitness function for the proposed method. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method, PLS with all wavelengths, uninformative variable elimination by PLS, elastic net, genetic algorithm combined with PLS, the discrete particle swarm optimization combined with PLS, the modified particle swarm optimization combined with PLS, the neighboring particle swarm optimization combined with PLS, and the proposed method are used for building the components quantitative analysis models of NIR spectral datasets, and the effectiveness of these models is compared. Two application studies are presented, which involve NIR data obtained from an experiment of meat content determination using NIR and a combustion procedure. Results verify that the proposed method has higher predictive ability for NIR spectral data and the number of selected wavelengths is less. The proposed method has faster convergence speed and could overcome the premature convergence problem. Furthermore, although improving the prediction precision may sacrifice the model complexity under a certain extent, the proposed method is overfitted slightly. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid determination of hydrogen peroxide in whitening patches for teeth using a new portable near-infrared spectrometer

A nondestructive determination method of hydrogen peroxide in whitening patches for teeth was developed by using a new portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer. Development of the portable NIR spectrometer was based on microchip technologies with photodiode arrays. By using the portable NIR spectrometer, the new determination method is very rapid; it requires less than 1 s. The conventional method for the determination of hydrogen peroxide, redox titration, requires about 2 h of analysis, including the sample extraction time from a sample matrix. The conventional method also uses hazardous and harmful solvents and, furthermore, its samples cannot be used after titration. To find the peak due to the O–H bond vibration of hydrogen peroxide under the existence of water which shows huge absorption O–H absorption around 1450 nm, the NIR spectra of a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution were investigated. A clear variation of absorption based on the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide due to the O–H bond vibration was found in the standard deviation plot around 1400 nm. In this study, two kinds of whitening patch products, A and B, were used for samples. A partial least squares (PLS) regression was used for calibration and validation in the 1100 to 1720 nm spectral range. For validation results, the standard error of prediction (SEP) was 0.38% for Patch A and 0.37% for Patch B. This study shows the feasibility of using the portable NIR spectrometer with photodiode arrays for the rapid and safe determination of hydrogen peroxide in whitening patches.     

ICA方法与NIR技术用于药片中活性成分含量的测定

用独立分量分析(ICA)方法提取药片近红外光谱数据矩阵的独立成分和相应的混合矩阵, 再用BP神经网络对混合矩阵和药片中活性成分的浓度矩阵进行建模, 提出了新的药片活性成分含量测定的基于独立分量分析-神经网络回归(ICA-NNR)的近红外光谱分析方法. 通过分析独立分量数和网络中间隐层的神经元数对模型性能的影响, 分别建立三类药片定量分析的最优模型. 该方法用于实测的三类药片中活性成分含量的测定, 测试样品集的化学检测值与近红外预测值的相关系数分别达到0.962, 0.980及0.979. 结果表明, 基于ICA-NNR的近红外光谱分析方法对制药业的药片进行定量分析是可行的.     

Quantitative Analysis of Uncoated Eszopiclone Tablets by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

This study employed near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyze content uniformity, moisture content, compression force, tablet hardness, average particle size, and particle-size distribution. The content uniformity, moisture content, compression force, tablet hardness, and average particle size models yielded high correlation coefficients (R²) of 0.99582, 0.99725, 0.99620, 0.96294, and 0.98421, respectively, whereas the particle size distribution models showed good predictive ability. Conventional criteria such as R², root-mean-square error of calibration, and the root-mean-square error of prediction were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the model. To ensure the accuracy and predictability of the content model for low-dose tablets, additional validation and reliability evaluations were performed using 70%, 80%, 100%, 120%, and 130% drug concentrations as well as 90% and 110% active content formulations. Near-infrared spectroscopy with multivariate modeling is a rapid, nondestructive technique for the characterization of the manufacturing process.     

Measurement of the percentage volume particle size distribution of powdered microcrystalline cellulose using reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy

This is the first reported method for determining the percentage volume particle size distribution of a powder (microcrystalline cellulose) by near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. A total of 113 samples of powdered microcrystalline cellulose were used from six different commercially available grades, with different moisture contents (range: 0.9-4.8% m/m). NIR reflectance measurements of these samples were made in narrow soda glass vials. Reference particle size data for the samples were acquired by laser diffraction. The NIR data were then calibrated to measure particle size by partial least squares regression. The effects of a range of different NIR data pre-treatments on calibration and prediction precision were investigated. Overall, simple absorbance data were found to produce regression models with the best predictive ability (root mean square error of prediction = 0.90%). The method was also found to be insensitive to moisture content.     

Development and validation of a near infrared method for the analytical control of a pharmaceutical preparation in three steps of the manufacturing process

A near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) procedure for the quantitative control analysis of the active compound (otilonium bromide) in a pharmaceutical preparation in three steps of the production process (blended product, cores and coated tablets) and a methodology for its validation are proposed. The analytical procedure is composed by two consecutive steps. First, the sample is identified by comparing its spectrum with a second derivative spectral library. If the sample is positively identified, the active compound is quantified by using a previously established partial least squares (PLS) calibration model. The procedure was validated by studying repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy and linearity. To this end, an adaptation of ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation) validation methodology to an NIR multivariate calibration procedure is proposed. The relative standard error of prediction (RSEP) was < or = 1% and the suitability of the procedure for control analysis was confirmed by the results obtained analysing new production samples produced over a three-month period.     

Development and validation of a near infrared method for the analytical control of a pharmaceutical preparation in three steps of the manufacturing process

A near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) procedure for the quantitative control analysis of the active compound (otilonium bromide) in a pharmaceutical preparation in three steps of the production process (blended product, cores and coated tablets) and a methodology for its validation are proposed. The analytical procedure is composed by two consecutive steps. First, the sample is identified by comparing its spectrum with a second derivative spectral library. If the sample is positively identified, the active compound is quantified by using a previously established partial least squares (PLS) calibration model. The procedure was validated by studying repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy and linearity. To this end, an adaptation of ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation) validation methodology to an NIR multivariate calibration procedure is proposed. The relative standard error of prediction (RSEP) was ≤ 1% and the suitability of the procedure for control analysis was confirmed by the results obtained analysing new production samples produced over a three-month period.     

In-line monitoring of extraction process of scutellarein from Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand-Mazz based on qualitative and quantitative uses of near-infrared spectroscopy

The application of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for in-line monitoring of extraction process of scutellarein from Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand-Mazz was investigated. For NIR measurements, two fiber optic probes designed to transmit NIR radiation through a 2 mm pathlength flow cell were utilized to collect spectra in real-time. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used as a reference method to determine scutellarein in extract solution. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) calibration model of Savitzky-Golay smoothing NIR spectra in the 5450-10,000 cm(-1) region gave satisfactory predictive results for scutellarein. The results showed that the correlation coefficients of calibration and cross validation were 0.9967 and 0.9811, respectively, and the root mean square error of calibration and cross validation were 0.044 and 0.105, respectively. Furthermore, both the moving block standard deviation (MBSD) method and conformity test were used to identify the end point of extraction process, providing real-time data and instant feedback about the extraction course. The results obtained in this study indicated that the NIR spectroscopy technique provides an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for fast determination of scutellarein and end point control of extraction process.     

基于近红外光谱的食用植物油中反式脂肪酸含量快速定量检测及模型优化研究

利用近红外光谱技术对食用植物油中反式脂肪酸(Trans fatty acids,TFA)含量进行快速定量检测,并通过波段选择、预处理方法、变量筛选及建模方法对TFA含量预测模型进行优化.采用AntarisⅡ傅里叶变换近红外光谱仪在4000~10000 cm-1光谱范围采集98个食用植物油样本的近红外透射光谱,然后采用气相色谱法测定TFA的真实含量.首先,对样本原始光谱进行波段、预处理方法优选;在此基础上,采用竞争自适应重加权法(Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling,CARS)筛选TFA相关的重要变量,最后应用主成分回归、偏最小二乘和最小二乘支持向量机方法分别建立食用植物油中TFA含量的预测模型.研究结果表明,近红外光谱技术检测食用植物油中的TFA含量是可行的,优化后的最佳预测模型的校正集和预测集R2分别为0.992和0.989,RMSEC和RMSEP分别为0.071%和0.075%.最佳预测模型所用的变量仅26个,占全波段变量的0.854%.此外,与全波段偏最小二乘预测模型相比,其预测集R2由0.904上升为0.989,RMSEP由0.230%下降为0.075%.由此表明,模型优化非常必要,CARS能有效筛选TFA相关的重要变量,极大减少建模变量数,从而简化预测模型,并较大提高预测模型的精度和稳定性.     

支持向量回归在人体血红蛋白无创检测中的应用

采用线性渐变滤光片(Linear variable filter, LVF),优化设计高性能、便携式的人体血液成分近红外检测设备,研究了支持向量回归(Support vector regression, SVR)模型对人体血红蛋白(Hemoglobin, Hb)的预测能力及稳定性,以实现贫血疾病的无创诊断.无创采集100位志愿者食指前端光谱信息并划分定标集、验证集1和2.应用网格搜索方法优选惩罚参数与核函数参数c=5.28, g=0.33,用以建立稳健的SVR模型.随后,分别对验证集1和2中Hb水平进行定量分析.实验结果表明: 预测标准偏差(RMSEP) 分别为10.20 g/L和10.85 g/L,相对预测标准偏差(R-RMSEP) 为6.85%和7.48%,测量精度较高且SVR模型对不同样品的适应性较强,基本满足临床检测要求.基于SVR算法自行设计的LVF型近红外光谱检测设备在贫血症的无创诊断中有着良好的应用前景.     

Quality control of pharmaceuticals with NIR: From lab to process line

This work describes a general framework for assessing the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipient concentrations simultaneously in pharmaceutical dosage forms based on laboratory-scale measurements. The work explores the comprehensive development of a near infrared (NIR) analytical protocol for the quantification of the API and excipients of a pharmaceutical formulation. The samples were based on a paracetamol (API) formulation with three excipients: microcrystalline cellulose, talc, and magnesium stearate. The developed method was based on laboratory-scale samples as calibration samples and pilot-scale samples (powders and tablets) as model test samples. Both types of samples were produced according to an experimental design. The samples were measured in reflectance mode in a Fourier-transform NIR spectrometer. Additionally, a new method for determining the minimum number of calibration samples was proposed. It was concluded that the use of laboratory-scale samples to construct the calibration set is an effective way to ensure the concentration variability in the development of calibration models for industrial applications. With this method, both API and excipients can be determined in high-throughput applications in the pharmaceutical industry.     

过程分析技术(PAT)在原料药生产中的应用

该文通过采用近红外光谱分析技术对原料药(API)的浓度调节过程进行实时监控,介绍了在良好生产规范条件下过程分析技术(PAT)的实施过程。利用偏最小二乘算法开发出两个校正模型分别用以监控原料药和水分含量,并通过模型校正均方根误差(RMSEC)、交叉检验均方根误差(RMSECV)和预测均方根误差(RMSEP)以及对应的决定系数(R~2)来评估模型的性能。为保证模型性能,按照分析方法验证要求对模型的线性和范围、准确性、精密度(重复性)、专属性以及稳健性指标进行验证。最后通过系统性能测试确认检测系统满足商业化运行的要求。结果显示,采用过程分析技术控制浓度调节过程,可以大幅度缩短浓度调节时间,节约蒸汽能耗和检测费用,减少生产过程中的偏差,提升产品工艺水平和批次间一致性。     

Comparison of near infrared and microwave resonance sensors for at-line moisture determination in powders and tablets

In this paper we demonstrate the feasibility of replacing KF for water content testing in bulk powders and tablets with at-line near infrared (NIR) or microwave resonance (MR) methods. Accurate NIR and MR prediction models were developed with a minimalistic approach to calibration. The NIR method can accurately predict water content in bulk powders in the range of 0.5-5% w/w. Results from this method were compared to a MR method. We demonstrated excellent agreement of both NIR and MR methods for powders vs. the reference KF method. These methods are applicable to in-process control or quality control environments. One of the aims of this study was to determine if a calibration developed for a particular product could be used to predict the water content of another product (with related composition) but containing a different active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). We demonstrated that, contrary to the NIR method, a general MR method can be used to predict water content in two different types of blends. Finally, we demonstrated that a MR method can be developed for at-line moisture determination in tablets.     

A rapid quantitative assay of intact paracetamol tablets by reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used to determine rapidly and non-destructively the content of paracetamol in bulk batches of intact Sterwin 500 mg tablets by collecting NIR spectra in the range 1100-2500 nm and using a multiple linear regression calibration method. The developed NIR method gave results comparable to the British Pharmacopoeia 1993 UV assay procedure, the standard errors of calibration and prediction being 0.48% and 0.71% m/m, respectively. The method showed good repeatability, the standard deviation and coefficient of variation for six NIR assays on the same batch on the same day being 0.14 and 0.16% m/m, respectively, while measurements over six consecutive days gave 0.31 and 0.36% m/m, respectively. Applying the calibration to a parallel test set gave a mean bias of -0.22% and a mean accuracy of 0.45%. The developed method illustrates how the full potential of NIR can be utilised and how the ICH guidelines which recommend the validation of linearity, range, accuracy and precision for pharmaceutical registration purposes can be applied. Duplicate determinations on bulk batches could be performed in under 2 min, allowing the potential use of the method on-line for real time monitoring of a running production process.     

Measurement of the cumulative particle size distribution of microcrystalline cellulose using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The cumulative particle size distribution of microcrystalline cellulose, a widely used pharmaceutical excipient, was determined using near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. Forward angle laser light scattering measurements were used to provide reference particle size values corresponding to different quantiles and then used to calibrate the NIR data. Two different chemometric methods, three wavelength multiple linear regression and principal components regression (three components), were compared. For each method, calibration equations were produced at each of eleven quantiles (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95%). NIR predicted cumulative frequency particle-size distributions were calculated for each of the calibration samples (n = 34) and for an independent test set (n = 23). The NIR procedure was able to predict those obtained via forward angle laser light scattering.     

鱼粉近红外光谱模型传递应用研究

为探讨光栅型与傅里叶变换型近红外分析仪之间模型传递的应用效果,选取国产鱼粉为近红外光谱样本,DS2500F型近红外分析仪为源仪器,MPA型近红外分析仪为目标仪器,采用分段直接校正(PDS)方法实现近红外光谱传递。分别建立水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、蛋氨酸和赖氨酸等组分的预测模型,通过交互验证决定系数(R2cv)、交互验证标准误差(RMSECV)、马氏距离(MD)、系统偏差(Bias)、预测均方根误差(RMSEP)和相对分析误差(RPD)等参数,多维度评估光谱传递后所建预测模型的效果。结果表明,DS2500F仪器的近红外光谱传递到MPA型仪器时,所建国产鱼粉的水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、蛋氨酸、赖氨酸的预测模型与MPA型仪器原始预测模型各参数对比无显著差异,预测效果基本一致,说明国产鱼粉在DS2500F仪器上的近红外光谱通过传递可以替代MPA型仪器的原始光谱,间接实现了模型传递,且具有良好的适用性和共享性,可提高近红外预测模型的应用效率。