Standard Operating Procedure for Filter Compatibility Testing in Dissolution Method Development
| Department | Analytical Method Development |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/AMD/219/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/AMD/219/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 13 |
| Issue Date | 21/05/2025 |
| Effective Date | 23/05/2025 |
| Review Date | 21/05/2026 |
1. Purpose
This SOP defines the procedure to evaluate the compatibility of various filter membranes used for sample withdrawal during dissolution testing. It ensures that filters do not adsorb the drug or
2. Scope
This procedure applies to all dissolution methods developed in the Analytical Method Development (AMD) department involving filtration of samples prior to analytical measurement.
3. Responsibilities
- Analytical Scientist: Performs compatibility testing with different filter materials and documents recovery data.
- Group Leader: Reviews filter type selection and validation data.
- QA Executive: Verifies compliance and reviews filter validation records.
4. Accountability
The Head of Analytical Method Development is accountable for ensuring appropriate filter compatibility testing is completed and approved prior to method validation.
5. Procedure
5.1 Filter Types for Evaluation
- Select minimum three different filter types based on availability and compatibility with the dissolution media:
- 0.45 µm Nylon
- 0.45 µm PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)
- 0.45 µm PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
- 0.45 µm PES (Polyethersulfone)
5.2 Sample Preparation
- Prepare drug solution at target concentration (same as expected in dissolution sample) using selected media.
- Prepare a control sample (unfiltered) and filtered samples using each type of filter under test.
- Filter at least three replicates through each membrane filter.
5.3 Assay and Recovery Evaluation
- Analyze filtered and unfiltered samples using a validated method (e.g., UV or HPLC).
- Calculate the % recovery of filtered samples compared to the unfiltered control:
% Recovery = (Filtered Sample Result / Unfiltered Sample Result) × 100 - Acceptance Criteria:
- Recovery should be within 98.0% – 102.0%
- RSD of replicates should be ≤ 2.0%
5.4 Final Selection and Documentation
- Select the filter type that meets the recovery and variability criteria.
- Document filter brand, type, pore size, and lot number in Annexure-1.
- Include photographic evidence of filter membrane if available.
- Summarize compatibility results in Annexure-2 and update in the dissolution method SOP.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- PVDF: Polyvinylidene Fluoride
- PES: Polyethersulfone
- PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene
- RSD: Relative Standard Deviation
7. Documents
- Filter Compatibility Recovery Log – Annexure-1
- Compatibility Evaluation Summary – Annexure-2
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA) of Selected Filter – Annexure-3
8. References
- USP General Chapter <1092> – The Dissolution Procedure
- ICH Q2(R1) – Validation of Analytical Procedures
- FDA Guidance on Dissolution Testing
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
| Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | |||
| Date | |||
| Name | Priya Kulkarni | Sachin Nair | Sunita Reddy |
| Designation | Analytical Scientist | QA Reviewer | Head – AMD |
| Department | Analytical Method Development | QA | Analytical Method Development |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Filter Compatibility Recovery Log
| Filter Type | Replicate 1 (%) | Replicate 2 (%) | Replicate 3 (%) | Average Recovery (%) | RSD (%) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVDF 0.45 µm | 99.4 | 99.1 | 99.5 | 99.3 | 0.2 | Pass |
| Nylon 0.45 µm | 97.2 | 96.9 | 97.5 | 97.2 | 0.3 | Fail |
Annexure-2: Compatibility Evaluation Summary
PVDF 0.45 µm membrane filter selected for dissolution sample filtration. Recovery within range and consistent across batches. Details updated in the dissolution method validation protocol.
Annexure-3: Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
Attached CoA of PVDF membrane filter from vendor: Merck Millipore, Lot No.: FVM2025-789
Revision History:
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/05/2025 | 2.0 | Expanded to include multiple filter types and quantitative RSD criteria | Annual SOP Review | Sunita Reddy |
| 15/04/2022 | 1.0 | Initial Issue | New SOP | QA Head |