Introduction to Freeze Drying
2: Freeze Dried Products
Freeze-drying in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries is commonly carried out in vials but it may be carried out in a number of other formats, for example ampoules and trays (known as bulk drying). In laboratories product is sometimes freeze dried in flasks, attached to small-scale manifold dryers. Newer innovations in the field include drying in blister packs.
A typical freeze-dried product will have the same volume as the original sample, even if it was initially a liquid. This "cake" as it is usually known may be fragile and will certainly be easy to reconstitute. Many freeze-dried products are therefore hygroscopic and for preservation need to be kept in a closed container.
Ampoules
Vials
Flasks
Freeze dried fruit & vegetables