Analyzing Pharmaceutical Tablet and Capsule Excipients by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) using Phenogel™ Columns

Introduction

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is used to separate and characterize polymers based on their size in solution which is directly related to their molecular weight and degree of polymerization (Dp). GPC separations are run using organic solvents (e.g. THF) and a combination of columns optimized to the molecular weight range being separated. In this study, several different organic polymers from tablets and capsules were analyzed by GPC using Phenogel columns to demonstrate its utility in characterizing excipients. Several classes of excipients such as binders, coatings, and suspending agents were run on Phenogel individual fixed pore size or mixed bed columns to show how certain tablets and capsules compare with standards. Phenogel columns were shown to be an excellent solution for the GPC of excipients.