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The premise of this paper is to provide an understanding of two very similar analytical test methods that are often used in corporate quality control testing: the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test and the shrink temperature test. In this study, a collagen-based product was subjected to these two analytical methods. The results indicated that there is no significant difference in using either method in obtaining the melting temperatures of the test articles. The pros and cons of each method were also discussed in this article.

In some cases the use of classical methods of melting point determination may lead to erroneous interpretation of the data obtained. The main sources of errors are the presence of polymorphic or pseudo-polymorphic modifications, and the thermal instability of the solid, which may decompose without melting. The present work was aimed at demonstrating the utility of using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetry (TG) in the critical evaluation of melting point data obtained from the more classical methods recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia.