Water. While water is the primary target for removal due to its ubiquity and potential for causing degradation in sensitive materials, some substances may contain residual solvents or volatile impurities that could affect stability or pose safety concerns. Lyophilization helps eliminate these volatile components, ensuring the purity and integrity of the final product.
Moreover, beyond simply removing water, lyophilization serves to transform the substance into a solid, dry form known as a lyophilized cake or powder. This solid state provides protection against physical and chemical degradation, reducing the risk of degradation due to factors such as oxidation, enzymatic activity, or hydrolysis. By converting the substance into a stable, dry matrix, lyophilization enhances its shelf life and facilitates long-term storage without the need for refrigeration or specialized storage conditions.
While water is the primary substance removed by lyophilization, the process also effectively eliminates volatile solvents and transforms the substance into a stable, dry form. This solid-state preservation method ensures the integrity, stability, and long-term viability of sensitive materials, making lyophilization a valuable technique in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food preservation.