Freeze-drying microscopy unravelling the complexities of freeze-drying pharmaceuticals with advanced microscopy techniques

Degradation of stored material, either through autolysis or the growth of spoilage organisms, is primarily dependent on the presence of water. Products that are prone to degradation, such as food and pharmaceuticals, must be stabilized by immobilizing or reducing of the water content. For example, vaccines and other biological materials can be stabilized by chilling or freezing, but transporting samples in a frozen state is expensive, and breakdown of freezers may result in the complete loss of valuable product. Alternatively, water can be removed from labile products through air-drying using high processing temperatures, but this can alter the product's physical and chemical properties and is therefore unsuitable for pharmaceuticals.