Determination of Water Content in Capsules Using Karl Fischer Titration

Product Group

Pharmaceuticals

General Information concerning the product group

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical products are often characterized by complex formulations. Difficulties observed during Karl Fischer determination are often caused by the limited solubility. In some cases side reactions have to be considered. In dependance of composition and properties of the formulations, various measures are necessary for an undisturbed Karl Fischer determination. In pharmaceutical guidelines (USP, Ph Eur, DAB) the Karl Fischer titration is described as common method for water determination. For some substances special procedures can be found. The determination of mass loss as method for water determination is not recommended.

Special Information concerning the sample and the methods

The sample is prepared by mixing together the content of at least four capsules. In the case of solubility problems various solubilisers can be added to the KF solvent: e.g. formamide for saline compounds or long-chain alcohols for compounds with low polarity. For low water concentrations (< 0.1 %) the utilisation of a titrant with a factor of less than 5 mg/mL is recommended. An alternative to the direct volumetric titration are both, the external extraction as well as the KF oven technique: during external extraction the sample is dissolved, or rather extracted in a suitable solvent. During analysis by the KF oven technique the water is released by heating the sample to an appropriate temperature and then transferred into a volumetric or coulometric cell.

Titration one component system

Reagents:

Titrant
188005 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 5 - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration, 1 mL = approx. 5 mg water
or
188002 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 2 - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
50 mL 188009 Aquastar^® - CombiMethanol - Solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with one component reagents, max. 0.01 % water

Titration Parameters:
Extraction time: 180 sec.
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
0.2 - 0.5 g (powdered)

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started. For complete dissolution of the sample or rather full extraction of the water a stirring time of 180 seconds is recommended.

Titration two component system

Reagents:

Titrant
188010 Aquastar^® - Titrant 5 - Titrant for volumetric titration with two component reagents, 1 mL = approx. 5 mg water
or
188011 Aquastar^® - Titrant 2 - Titrant for volumetric titration with two component reagents, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
50 mL 188015 Aquastar^® - Solvent - Solvent for volumetric titration with two component reagents

Titration Parameters:
Extraction time: 180 sec.
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
0.2 - 0.5 g (powdered)

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started. For complete dissolution of the sample or rather full extraction of the water a stirring time of 180 seconds is recommended.