
PDA Technical Glossary
PDA Technical Reports are highly valued membership benefits because they offer expert guidance and opinions on important scientific and regulatory topics and are used as essential references by industry and regulatory authorities around the world. These reports include terms which explain the material and enhance the reader’s understanding.
The database presented here includes the glossary terms from all current technical reports. The database is searchable by keyword, topic, or by technical report. Each definition provided includes a link to the source technical report within the PDA Technical Report Portal.
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- TR 15: Validation: TFF in Biopharmaceuticals (2)
- TR 22: Aseptic Process Simulation (2)
- TR 47: Virus Spikes/Virus Clearance (1)
- TR 51: Biological Indicators (1)
- TR 54-4: QRM: Biotech Drug Substance (1)
- TR 61: Steam in Place (1)
- TR 62: Manual Aseptic Processes (1)
- TR 66: Single-Use Systems (1)
- TR 67: Objectionable Microorganisms (1)
- TR 69: Bioburden/Biofilm Management (1)
- TR 70: Cleaning/Disinfection Programs (1)
- TR 73: Prefilled Syringe User Requirements for Biotech Applications (1)
- TR 13: Environmental Monitoring (1)
- TR 14: Validation: Protein Purification Chromatography (1)
- TR 85: Enhanced Test Methods - Visible Particle Detection/Enumeration Closures/Containers (1)
- TR 41: Virus Filtration (1)
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Back Pressure
Residual pressure opposing the free flow of liquid or gas at the outlet side of the filter. (TR45) Pressure applied downstream of a filter or other piece of equipment. (TR26)
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Bioburden
The total number of microorganisms per unit of material prior to sterilization. (TR13) Total number of viable microorganisms on or in a health care product prior to sterilization. (TR22)(TR61)(TR62) A population of viable microorganisms in a fluid prior to sterilizing filtration. (TR26) A measure of the contaminating organisms found in or on a given amount of material before it undergoes a sterilization process. (TR45) (TR70) The number of detectable microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) with which an object is contaminated. It is measured in CFU (colony forming units). (TR47) The number of viable, contaminating microorganisms present on a product immediately prior to decontamination. (TR51) Viable microbial contaminants associated with personnel manufacturing environments (air and surfaces), equipment, product packaging, raw materials (including water), in-process materials, and finished products. (TR 67) (TR 69)
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Cake
Solids deposited on the upstream side of filter media. (TR15) (TR45) (TR26)
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Compatibility
Proof that no adverse interaction between the filter and the process fluid has occurred. (TR26) A term used in relation to the non-reactivity of filter materials with the substance to be filtered. (TR45)
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Differential Pressure
The difference in pressure between the upstream (feed or influent) and downstream (effluent) sides of the filter. (May be modified with the terms: applied, available differential pressure, clean differential pressure, dirty differential pressure, initial differential pressure, or maximum differential pressure). [Synonym: Delta P (Δ P), PSID, Pressure Drop] (TR45) (TR26)
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Downstream Side (of Filter)
The effluent side of the process step (filter). (TR45) The filtrate or outlet side of the filter. (TR26)
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Extractable
A chemical component that is removed from a material by application of an artificial or exaggerated force (e.g., solvent, temperature, time). The term extractable is often erroneously used to describe a leachable. (TR14) (TR15) (TR26) (TR41) (TR45) Chemical substances that can be extracted from components of material process fluid contact surfaces by exertion of an exaggerated force (e.g., organic solvent, extreme elevated temperature, ionic strength, pH, contact time, etc.) Extractables may represent most but not all of the potential leachables that may be seen in process fluids. (TR66) Extractables are organic and inorganic chemical entities that can be released from a pharmaceutical packaging/delivery system, packaging component, or packaging material of construction under laboratory conditions. (TR54-4) Organic or inorganic chemical entity that is forced out of container closure system materials and components under laboratory experimental conditions. (TR73)
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Gauge Pressure
The pressure measured by a pressure gauge. Typically expressed in units of psig, bar or kilopascal. (TR45) Gauge pressure is the difference between a given fluid pressure and that of the atmosphere. (TR26)
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Integrity Test
Test to determine the functional performance of a membrane filter or container/closure system. (TR22) A nondestructive test used to predict the functional performance of a filter. (TR45) A nondestructive physical test that can be correlated to the bacterial retention capability of a filter/filter assembly. (TR26)
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Microorganism
A microbe; a free-living organism too small to be seen by the naked eye. (TR45) (TR26)
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Particle
Any discrete unit of material structure; a discernible mass having an observable length, width, thickness, size and shape. (TR45) (TR26)
Foreign material which is unintended and either removable from the surface of a primary packaging component or freely moving within a filled and sealed pharmaceutical dosage form. The term particle is used interchangeably with “particulate” and “particulate matter” without any intended difference in meaning. (TR85)
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Particulate
Relating to, or occurring in the form of particles. (TR45) (TR26)
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Pressure
Force applied per unit area, usually expressed as psi, mbar, kPa or kg/cm2. (TR45) (TR26)
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Surfactant
A soluble compound that reduces the surface tension of a liquid or reduces interfacial tension between two liquids (causing formation or micelles) or between a liquid and a solid. [Synonym:Wetting Agent] (TR45) (TR26)
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Volatile
Evaporates easily; converts easily from a liquid form to gas. (TR45) (TR26)