Tackling Color Additives and Polymer Excipients with Handheld Raman Spectrometer

Color additives like carmine, carotenoids, curcumin, and chlorophyll are notoriously difficult to identify via Raman due to strong absorption and fluorescence. Many instruments simply give up, leaving manufacturers with limited options for verifying these low-concentration but critical ingredients. The RS1500DI’s 1064 nm excitation dramatically reduces fluorescence, enabling successful identification of these colorful compounds. In tests, the device distinguished between natural carmine and synthetic red pigments, as well as between beta-carotene and lycopene. Similarly, polymer excipients such as gelatin (used in capsules) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC, a common filler and disintegrant) produce excellent Raman spectra with the RS1500DI. The device can differentiate between various grades of MCC and detect adulteration or substitution.

For excipients like croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and povidone, the RS1500DI provides rapid positive identification. This is crucial because excipient mix-ups have led to recalls and patient harm. The handheld nature of the RS1500DI allows QC staff to test each drum of excipient directly in the warehouse before it enters the blending area. The instrument’s software can be configured with customized pass/fail thresholds for each material, ensuring consistent decision-making. By extending reliable Raman identification to color additives and polymeric excipients, the RS1500DI closes a significant gap in pharmaceutical incoming material control. It ensures that every component – no matter how challenging – is verified before use, upholding the highest standards of product quality and patient safety.

Technical Specification:

Wide Detection Range:

• Chemical raw materials: aspirin, folic acid, nicotinamide, etc.
• Medicinal excipients: salts, alkalis, sugars, esters, alcohols, phenols, etc.
• Packaging materials: polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, etc.

Compared with ordinary 785nm Raman, it has stronger detection ability:

• Biochemical raw materials: amino acids and their derivatives, enzymes and coenzymes, proteins,etc.
• Color additives: carmine, carotenoids, curcumin, chlorophyll, etc
• Other polymer excipients: gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, etc.

Penetrant packaging: No need for sampling, can be directly tested through woven bags, plastic, glass, and other packaging

Company Introduction:

JINSP offers over twenty spectroscopic products across various fields, including pharmaceutical and chemical industries, public security, and customs. Products are available nationwide and are exported to over 30 countries, with cumulative sales exceeding 3,000 units.

Benefit from 30+ R&D engineers, including 4 Ph.D., JINSP is deeply rooted in the field of personalized product customization, and is committed to meeting the diverse and unique needs of customers with excellent professional technology and innovative design capabilities.