Labthink Knowledge

What Is Loss on Drying (LOD)? Loss on Drying (LOD) is a gravimetric analytical method used to determine moisture content and volatile substances in pharmaceutical substances, excipients, finished dosage forms, food materials, and chemical products. The loss on drying method measures the weight reduction of a sample after drying under specified temperature conditions, typically 105°C unless otherwise defined in a monograph. The standard LOD test procedure involves: Accurately weighing the sample Drying at a prescribed temperature Cooling under controlled conditions Reweighing until constant mass Calculating percentage weight loss Because water and volatile matter directly affect product stability, potency, and shelf life, the loss on drying test remains a mandatory quality control parameter in regulated industries.   Loss on Drying in Pharmacopoeias The loss on drying test is formally defined in major international pharmacopoeias: United States Pharma...

  In February 2026, our team visited a leading packaging manufacturer’s R&D laboratory in Finland to review their experience with the Labthink C840H Integrated Residue on Evaporation Testing System . Below is a summary of the discussion presented in Q&A format. Q1: How was the workflow before installing the Labthink C840H Integrated Residue on Evaporation Testing System? Laboratory Response: Before the installation of the C840H system, overall migration testing required continuous manual monitoring. Technicians needed to: Weigh cups every 30 minutes Closely monitor evaporation progress Remain present throughout the entire drying cycle The process required significant time and manpower. Achieving constant weight was repetitive and labor-intensive. Q2: What changes have you observed after implementing the system? Laboratory Response: The workflow has become more structured and efficient. Currently, approximately two testing rounds are conducted e...

In the highly regulated worlds of pharmaceutical and food packaging, the material " barrier property " is only half the story. While we often focus on what stays out (Oxygen and Moisture), it is equally critical to monitor what moves in—specifically, the migration of chemicals from the packaging material into the product. To ensure safety, the industry relies on a hierarchy of tests: Residue on Evaporation (ROE), Overall Migration (OM), and Extractables & Leachables (E&L). (AI generated image) 1. Defining the Terms While these terms can be confusing, they are essentially different "lenses" used to view the same physical phenomenon: the transfer of mass. Gravimetric Testing: This is the fundamental physical method. It involves using a high-precision microbalance to measure the weight of solids left behind after a solvent has been evaporated. Residue on Evaporation / Non-Vol...

To accelerate time-to-market for life-saving therapies, manufacturers must move toward data-driven Container Closure System (CCS) qualification. By leveraging high-precision, nondestructive testing, teams can ensure regulatory compliance and patient safety throughout the product lifecycle. The Challenge: Biologic Sensitivity Biologics (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies) are highly sensitive. Infinitesimal ingress of oxygen or microbes can trigger protein aggregation or loss of sterility. A CCS must be qualified with extreme rigor to maintain a robust barrier under all storage conditions. Container Closure Integrity (CCI): Verifying that interfaces (vial/stopper or syringe/plunger) prevent the passage of microorganisms and gases. Barrier Performance: Quantifying how materials limit water vapor and oxygen transmission—vital for lyophilized or liquid-stable drugs. Mechanical Performance: Ensuring components like crimp seals and plunger rods withst...