Biological Reference Preparation

Biological Reference Preparations
The majority of the primary biological reference preparations referred to in the European Pharmacopoeia are the appropriate International Standards and Reference Preparations established by the World Health Organisation. Because these reference materials are usually available only in limited quantities, the Commission has established Biological Reference Preparations (indicated by the abbreviation BRP) where appropriate. Where applicable, the potency of the Biological Reference Preparations is expressed in International Units. For some Biological Reference Preparations, where an international standard or reference preparation does not exist, the potency is expressed in European Pharmacopoeia Units.
Reference spectra
The reference spectrum is accompanied by information concerning the conditions used for sample preparation and recording the spectrum.
1.5. Abbreviations and symbols
A Absorbance
Specific absorbance
Ar Relative atomic mass
# Specific optical rotation
bp Boiling point
BRP Biological Reference Preparation
CRS Chemical Reference Substance
Relative density
IU International Unit
l Wavelength
M Molarity
Mr Relative molecular mass
mp Melting point
Refractive index
Ph. Eur. U. European Pharmacopoeia Unit
ppm Parts per million
R Substance or solution defined under Reagents
Rf Used in chromatography to indicate the ratio of the distance travelled by a substance to the distance travelled by the solvent front
Rst Used in chromatography to indicate the ratio of the distance travelled by a substance to the distance travelled by a reference substance
RV Substance used as a primary standard in volumetric analysis