Shelf-life prediction from induction period calorimetric measurements on materials undergoing autocatalytic decomposition

The shelf- or use-life of a material which decomposes by an autocatalytic reaction is shown to be inversely proportional to the rate of heat generation during the induction period of the degradation reaction. Calorimetric measurement of the rate of heat generation during the induction period takes only a few hours. It can often be done at or very near the actual storage or use temperature of the material. Measurements on Lovastatin (2-methylbutanoic acid 1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydro-3,7-dimethyl-8-[2-(tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1-naphthalenylester) are used as an example of this application. Keywords: autocatalytic, calorimetry, oxidation, decomposition, Lovastatin, Mevacor.