Chemical imaging and solid state analysis at compact surfaces using UV imaging

Fast non-destructive multi-wavelength UV imaging together with multivariate image analysis was utilized to visualize distribution of chemical components and their solid state form at compact surfaces. Amorphous and crystalline solid forms of the antidiabetic compound glibenclamide, and microcrystalline cellulose together with magnesium stearate as excipients were used as model materials in the compacts.

The UV imaging based drug and excipient distribution was in good agreement with hyperspectral NIR imaging. The UV wavelength region can be utilized in distinguishing between glibenclamide and excipients in a non-invasive way, as well as mapping the glibenclamide solid state form. An exploratory data analysis supported the critical evaluation of the mapping results and the selection of model parameters for the chemical mapping.

The present study demonstrated that the multi-wavelength UV imaging is a fast process analytical technique with the potential for real-time monitoring of critical quality attributes.