1. Principle of freeze-drying technology
Freeze-drying technology is a special drying method that uses low temperature and vacuum drying to evaporate the water or solvent in water- or organic solvent-containing medicines to obtain a dry product with anhydrous or low water content, which is a mixture of dry substances and water or solvents. Its basic principle is: freeze the liquid medicine into an ice solid state, then heat it up and evaporate it under low pressure, so that the ice directly changes from solid to gaseous state, and prepare the dry product by vacuum drying.
2. Application of pharmaceutical freeze dryers in liquid medicine processing
Freeze dryers are used to prepare medicines, mainly including the following aspects:
(1) Preparation of protein medicines
Protein medicines are a type of biopharmaceutical product with high complexity and low stability. Traditional drying processes are prone to protein denaturation when preparing such protein medicines, so freeze-drying technology has become the preferred method for drying protein medicines. The freeze-drying process can avoid heating and direct contact with the area, so protein medicines can be dried at a relatively low temperature without losing their biological and pharmacological activity.
(2) Preparation of oral solid preparations
Freeze dryers are also widely used to prepare oral solid preparations, such as capsules, granules, tablets, etc. Processing liquid medicines into solid preparations can greatly improve their stability and bioavailability and extend their shelf life. For example, capsules can reduce the effects of oxygen and humid air when taken, extending the shelf life of the medicine.
(3) Preparation of fluorescent powders
Fluorescent powders are often used to study the spectral properties of biology, medicine, and chemistry. Their main function is to serve as fluorescent probes and are widely used for cell imaging and labeling biomolecules. The technology for preparing such fluorescent powders requires the use of a pharmaceutical freeze dryer to extract them from liquid medicines into solid preparations.
(4) Production of emulsions, liquids, or water-based medicines
Pharmaceutical freeze dryers can also be used to produce emulsions, liquids, or water-based medicines. While maintaining the active ingredients and properties of the medicine, the freeze-drying process can convert it into a powder or solid product, facilitating its long-term storage and transportation, thereby greatly improving the utilization efficiency of the medicine.
3. Summary
In summary, pharmaceutical freeze dryers are widely used in pharmaceuticals, health supplements, food, and other cosmetics. By converting liquid pharmaceuticals into solid products, freeze-drying technology can significantly improve the stability and bioavailability of drugs, extending their shelf life, thereby safeguarding the development of the pharmaceutical industry and human health.
