ABSTRACT
Sterilization of freeze dryers is usually performed by subjecting them to saturated steam under pressure by steam (121 degrees C, 2 bar a., 30 minutes). In order to avoid such stressful conditions, another process was designed on the basis of a strong oxidizing mixture of condensable chemical vapors, consisting of ozone and hydrogen peroxide in acidic conditions. This process works at sub-zero temperatures up to 30 degrees C and under negative pressure. 10(6), inoculum of standard biological indicators as well as wild types of bioburden were easely sterilized from 2 minutes up to 10 minutes. Other parameters were studied, in order to optimize the main process conditions: temperature, pressure, concentration of chemicals, type of micro-organisms and their environmental surroundings.
Subject(s)
Freeze Drying , Sterilization , VolatilizationABSTRACT
Quality of the final product largely depends on the freeze-drying process. In turn this largely depends on an adequate control of the amount of residual moisture after freeze-drying. Measuring this amount in the chamber of the freeze-dryer to determine the end point of sublimation and the end point of secondary drying provides a reliable control with regard to the methods traditionally used (for example rapid increase in product temperature). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of the different methods recommended for the monitoring of a freeze-drying cycle. Two systems for the measurement of the moisture in the freeze dryer are evaluated here: the Pirani vacuum gauge, and the moisture sensor. The moisture sensor appears to be the most sensitive and reliable way of determining both the end of sublimation and the end of secondary drying of the full load batch when placed on a freeze-dryer. The immediate benefit for the industry is to allow to scale-up without the risks of under or over estimating the freeze-drying cycle.
