A freeze dryer is a type of drying equipment primarily composed of a refrigeration system, a vacuum system, a heating system, and an electrical instrumentation control system. With the continuous advancement of freeze-drying technology and freeze drying machine technology, freeze drying is becoming increasingly widely used in the development of sterile preparations, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, where it plays a crucial role. Let's discuss the uses, benefits, and safety precautions of freeze dryers.
In the food industry, freeze dryers are commonly used to dry fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, condiments, convenience foods, and specialty products. Therefore, freeze dryers are also called food freeze dryers. They preserve the original color, aroma, flavor, shape, and freshness of foods, and offer excellent rehydration properties. This makes the finished product easier to store and transport, reduces costs, and extends its shelf life.
In the medicinal materials industry, vacuum freeze drying is used to dry nutritional supplements such as royal jelly, ginseng, tortoise shellfish, and earthworms. This process better preserves the original nutritional value and enhances the confidence that these supplements are pure and natural.
The pharmaceutical industry uses this technology for the dehydration and preservation of serum, plasma, vaccines, enzymes, antibiotics, hormones, and other Chinese and Western medicines.
In biological research, vacuum freeze-drying technology is used to preserve blood, bacteria, arteries, bones, skin, corneas, nerve tissue, and various organs for long-term preservation. These materials can be rehydrated upon use, preserving their biophysical properties.
Benefits of Freeze Dryers
1. Freeze drying is performed at low temperatures, making it particularly suitable for many heat-sensitive substances, such as proteins and microorganisms, without denaturation or loss of biological activity. Therefore, freeze dryers are widely used in medicine.
2. Because the material is dried in a frozen state, its volume remains virtually unchanged, preserving its original structure and preventing concentration.
3. Freeze-dried materials are loose, porous, and sponge-like. They dissolve quickly and completely upon addition of water, returning to their original properties almost immediately.
4. Because freeze dryers dry in a vacuum environment with minimal oxygen, they protect easily oxidized substances.
5. Freeze dryers achieve minimal loss of volatile components during low-temperature drying, making them suitable for drying chemical products, pharmaceuticals, and foods.
