[ExpertScie]

Lyophilization or freeze drying is a process of removal of water from a product which is then frozen and placed under vacuum. In this process, there is a direct conversion of solid state to gaseous state. In this, the ice is directly converted from solid to vapor (gaseous ) state without intermidiate convertion into liquid phase. The process consists of three steps first is freezing, second is primary drying (sublimation), and last is secondary drying which is also known as desorption.

Apart from above mentioned advantages of lyophilization, they are also useful in

1) Simplifying aseptic handling as it ease in processing of a liquid.

2)The stability of any product is very critical such that expiry of product depends on it. Lyophilization enhances stability of a dry powder and other similar forms in various pharmaceutical and biological industries.

3) Lyophilization helps in removal of water without excessive heating products at higher temperature.

4) It has been observed that lyophilization enhances product stability in a dry state.

5) Many drugs and biotechnology products needs rapid dissolution and lyophilization helps in this very distinctly

Apart from these uses, lyophilization is used in manufacturing of many new parenteral products, including biotechnology derived drugs, anti-infective, and in-vitro diagnostic kits. Lyophilization had helped in stability, efficiency and safety of many drugs. These drugs includes life saving molecules like penicillins erythromycin, cephalosporins chloramphenicol and doxycycline.

Today in many pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries these lyophilized products and cultures are evaluated for various critical parameters like sterility, purity, efficiency and safety before use thus strictly adhere to various regulatory guidelines!