Dissolution testing apparatus

The dissolution testing apparatus has a plurality of stirring elements for stirring the test solutions within a plurality of test vessels with reflective surfaces. The temperatures of the test solutions are individually controlled by a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes a controller, a heating element for each test vessel to heat the corresponding test solution, and a temperature sensor for each test vessel to measure the temperature of the corresponding test solution. The heating elements are wrapped around the outside of the test vessels and held in place by spring-loaded heater jackets. Each stirring element has a hollow shaft, a detachable stirring attachment (e.g., blade or basket), a temperature sensor inside the hollow shaft, and a signal transfer device to transmit signals from the temperature sensor to the controller. The test vessels are supported and aligned with respect to the stirring elements with a holding plate having openings and corresponding alignment fixtures.