Control of Microbial Growth and Microbial Contaminants

Vocabulary flashcards covering common microbial contaminants across products and methods of microbial control including thermal, chemical, mechanical, radiation, and pasteurization techniques.

Common Microbial Contaminants

A reference guide detailing various pharmaceutical products, topical preparations, and medical solutions alongside their common contaminating bacteria.

Intravenous fluid contaminant

Pseudomonas, Erwinia And Enterobacter Spp.

Antiseptic Mouth wash contaminant

Coliforms

Talcum Powders contaminant

Clostridium tetani

Surgical dressings contaminant

Clostridium Spp.

Antibiotic eye ointment contaminant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Hand cream contaminant

Kleibsella pneumoniae

Saline solution contaminant

Serratia marcescens

Contact lens solution contaminant

Serratia And Enterobacter Spp

Fluorescein eye drops contaminant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Serum Vaccine contaminant

Staphylococcus aureus

Thyroid Tablets contaminant

Salmonella muenchen

Carmine Powder contaminant

Calmonella cubana

Peppermint Water contaminant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chlorhexidine-cetrimide antiseptic solution contaminant

Pseudomonas cepacian

Iodophor solution contaminant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aqueous soap contaminant

Pseudomonas stutzeri

Thymol mouthwash contaminant

Pseudomonas Aeurginosa

Moist Heat Method

A method of microbial control that kills microorganisms primarily by coagulating proteins (denaturation) caused by the breakage of hydrogen bonds.

Autoclave

A moist heat sterilization method utilizing steam under pressure at $15\,\text{PSI}$ for a duration of $15\text{--}50\,\text{minutes}$ to kill all microorganisms (except prions) and endospores.

Bacillus orothermophilur

The biological indicator used for validating moist heat sterilization processes such as autoclaving.

Dry Heat Method

A method of microbial control that kills microorganisms through oxidation effects, including incineration and hot air sterilization.

Hot Air Sterilization

A dry heat sterilization process conducted at parameters such as $160^\circ\text{C}$ for $150\text{--}160\,\text{mins}$, $170^\circ\text{C}$ for $40\text{--}120\,\text{mins}$, or $180^\circ\text{C}$ for $45\text{--}60\,\text{mins}$.

Bacillus subtilis

The biological indicator organism used to test and validate dry heat sterilization and gaseous chemical sterilization processes.

Chemical Gas Sterilization

Sterilization utilizing gases such as Ethylene Oxide, Chlorine Dioxide, or Formaldehyde, operating through the principle of alkylation.

Ethylene Oxide disadvantages

Key safety hazards of Ethylene Oxide gas, specifically being toxic, carcinogenic, inflammable, and explosive.

Membrane Filtration

A mechanical sterilization method employing membrane filters with $0.1\,\mu\text{m}$ and $0.22\,\mu\text{m}$ pore sizes, serving as the method of choice for heat-labile sterile products like vaccines, enzymes, and antibiotic solutions.

HEPA Filters

High Efficiency Particulate Air filters that are $99.97\%$ or more efficient in removing $0.3\,\mu\text{m}$ particles from the air.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation with a wavelength $<1\,\text{nm}$ (such as gamma rays, X-rays, and high energy electron beams) that controls microbes by forming highly reactive hydroxyl radicals.

Nonionizing Radiation

Radiation such as UV light with a wavelength $>1\,\text{nm}$, most effective at $200\,\text{nm}$, which exerts antimicrobial effects by damaging DNA.

Pasteurization

The process of heating a fluid at a moderate temperature for a definite period of time to destroy undesirable microorganisms without changing its chemical composition to any extent.

High Temperature Short Time Pasteurization (HTST)

A pasteurization method conducted at $72^\circ\text{C}$ for $15\,\text{seconds}$.

Ultra-High Temperature Treatment (UHT)

A thermal treatment method conducted at $140^\circ\text{C}$ for $1\,\text{second}$.