Water activity is a crucial measurement in various industries, impacting product quality, shelf life, and safety. As the largest component in compounds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods, it plays a pivotal role in product stability and safety. In pharmaceutical compounding, controlling water activity is essential to extend beyond-use dates and ensure patient safety. In food compounding, controlling water activity is necessary to prevent spoilage and ensure the stability of textures and flavors. Understanding and managing water activity can significantly enhance product stability and safety.
The Challenge of Water Activity
In the food industry, water activity is a vital parameter for maintaining product quality and extending shelf life. High water activity levels can promote the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds, leading to premature spoilage, texture degradation, and loss of nutritional value. For instance, in muesli containing raisins, seeds, and bran flakes, the moisture migration from raisins to bran flakes over time results in dried-out raisins and soggy bran flakes.
In the pharmaceutical sector, water activity impacts the stability of proteins, enzymes, and biopharmaceutical components. It also affects hygroscopic excipients like starch and cellulose which are sensitive to moisture, causing caking or clumping of powders. Issues such as API hydrolyses leads to efficacy and potential degradation of the drug. This degradation not only impacts the drug’s performance but also poses significant safety risks to patients.
Addressing Water Activity with Novasina LabMaster Neo
The LabMaster Neo by Novasina stands out as an advanced solution for measuring water activity. It provides accurate readings within 10 minutes, enabling production staff to control oven temperatures and conveyor speeds. It features contactless RFID salt standard identification, simplifying calibration and maintenance. The device has a comprehensive measurement range from 0.0300 to 1.0000 aw and operates within a temperature range of 0-60°C. Hermetic Sealing Technology ensures reliable measurements, preventing external factors from affecting results.
Practical Applications
- Food Industry: By controlling water activity to 0.85 or less in finished products, the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds can be inhibited. This control is crucial for maintaining food safety and compliance with regulations such as 21 CFR Parts 108, 113, and 114.
- Pharmaceuticals: The LabMaster Neo helps predict the stability of proteins and enzymes, manage the compatibility of hygroscopic excipients, and address issues related to API hydrolysis, crystallization, and powder caking.
- Cosmetics: Ensuring optimal water activity levels helps maintain the physical and chemical characteristics of solid dosage forms, contributing to product stability and efficacy.
