TOC Analyzer for Pharmaceutical Water
The use of TOC analyzers for the analysis water used in the pharmaceutical industry is of vital importance because water is the most common inert substance used by the pharmaceutical manufactures to give a drug its form or consistency. TOC and Conductivity are the two main variables of pharmaceutical waters that are monitored by most modern TOC analyzers.
Purified Water (PW) and Water for Injection (WFI) systems are a very important part of the regulatory quality inspections, and Microbiology Requirements for Water systems are the most commonly audited and monitored variables of PW and WFI. Many TOC analyzer manufacturers have made their analyzers specifically for these purposes.
Contamination through microbes can cause millions of dollars worth of damage to pharmaceutical products; therefore, companies monitor their water systems on constant basis. Many TOC analyzers can measure the total organic carbon quantity in-line on the water system. While it is not easy to find a direct correlation between organics in the water system and contamination through microbes, organic levels are a good indicator of how ‘healthy’ the water system is. Any bacteria present in places, such as storage tanks can feed on the organic matter.
If the companies are able to measure the organic level of a water system (PW, WFI, or HPW) in an accurate, fast and convenient manner, it can save the money that is lost due to damage to product. TOC analysis requirement, and hence TOC analyzer specifications, has been put into palace by the different pharmacopoeia organizations, and at present, most companies will monitor the water at the distribution return loop using 1 more TOC analyzer before storing it. This method of testing the water is according to the established requirement for TOC analysis.
TOC Analyzer Method for Detection of Contaminants in Total Organic Carbon Analysis
Conductivity is the most widely used and cheapest method of measurement used for detecting ionic contaminants—usually minerals- by many modern TOC analyzers. Conductivity is capable of detecting organic acids and bases, but it does not detect most of the organic contaminants. Due to this fact, TOC analyzers oxidize organic material to a completely oxidized, ionic form as carbonic acid so that it can be detected with the help of conductivity.
It is crucial to monitor TOC in the make-up water treatment system using an appropriate TOC analyzer after the final deionization is complete so that no organics are able to make their way into the polishing and production process. Taking additional measurements using multiple TOC analyzers both upstream and downstream can aid in determining where the contamination has taken place.