Fast Raw Materials ID through Unopened Non-Transparent Packaging

Cobalt’s RapID instrument is reportedly the only tool for raw materials ID verification that works through non-transparent, unopened containers. This speeds up testing by enabling identification directly through closed sacks, tubs, bottles, FIBCs and barrels, maintaining sterility and avoiding operator exposure. RapID is compatible with a wide range of excipients and APIs through plastics, amber glass, multi-layer paper/plastic sacks and woven fibres.

Raman and NIR spectroscopies have gone some way to speeding up the process of ID, although many materials need to be opened in a sampling booth or sterile enclosure first. The resource taken to open the packaging safely is often far greater than needed for the test. RapID circumvents this requirement.

Raman spectroscopy is used for ID because of its high chemical specificity, ease of use and regulatory acceptance. RapID uses a variant called spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) to measure a Raman spectrum through the packaging in 5–20 seconds without a sampling booth, protective clothing or other contamination-prevention measures. The measurements require a single operator and can reduce hours of testing to minutes.

Sterile and biopharma manufacturers benefit from maintaining sterility during the QC testing workflow. Materials such as phenol/m-cresol or polysorbates can be identified in amber bottles in around five seconds in an open warehouse.

RapID is compatible with many materials, e.g., lactose/dextrose/glucose in multi-layer paper sacks and FIBCs, MCC and HPMC in plastic sacks and acetaminophen in plastic tubs. The integrated barcode scanner allows per-container tracking and reporting. RapID is easy to use, integrates into existing quality workflows and Windows environments and is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant.

For the RapidID product lineup, visit www.cobaltlight.com/products/rapid.

Cobalt Light Systems Ltd, +44 1235 856 555, info@cobaltlight.com, www.cobaltlight.com.