General Tests and Assays

The General Tests and Assays. This section of the USP gives methods for tests that are general in nature and apply to a number of the substances. Procedures are iacluded for such tests as heavy metals, melting point, chloride, sulfate, sterility, bacterial endotoxins, and pyrogens. Also iacluded are descriptions of various analytical techniques, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, and nmr, and descriptions of tests to be used on glass or plastic containers, mbber closures, etc. 

Both the national and international communities should support pharmaeopeial harmonization. There should be support both for harmonization of exeipients and for harmonization of eommon general tests and assays. In doing so, meaningful standards should be preferred, not the lowest common denominator or the most stringent. This statement at the International Conference on Harmonization 1 was entirely consistent with the eoneept of forward harmonization. 

Such expressions as 1 10 or 10% mean that 1 part by volume of a liquid or 1 part by weight of a solid is to be dissolved in a volume of the diluent or solvent sufficient to make the finished solution 10 parts by volume. Directions for the preparation of colorimetric solutions (CS), test solutions (TS), and volumetric solutions (VS), are provided in the section on Solutions and Indicators under General Tests and Assays, following Appendix X. 

Test Solutions See Solutions and Indicators under General Tests and Assays, following Appendix X. 

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