Process analytical technology: application to particle sizing in spray drying

The purpose of this research was to explore the possibility of employing PAT for particle sizing during spray drying with the use of an in-line and at-line laser diffraction system. Microspheres were made using maltodextrin and modified starch as wall material and size results obtained using PAT compared with those determined with off-line laser diffraction and light microscopy. Median particle size results were highest for in-line laser diffraction, followed by at-line and off-line laser diffraction and finally light microscopy. This was due to the presence of agglomerates which were measured as discrete microspheres in the in-line set-up. At-line and off-line laser diffraction gave results more closely correlated with individual microsphere sizes due to agglomerate breakdown during the measurement process. Light microscopy allowed direct observation of the particle morphology, however, its use for particle sizing was tedious and sample size was much smaller compared to laser diffraction. Although PAT was found to be an efficient and convenient tool, careful data interpretation was needed taking into account the cohesiveness of the material measured. The at-line set-up appeared to be more suitable in this particular application.