Microbiological Evaluation of some Oral Antacid Suspensions Sold in Delta State, Nigeria

Pharmaceutical products (non-sterile) are faced with the challenges of not exceeding the minimum limit of microbial presence tolerated for the respective formulations. Antacid suspensions which are multi-dose drug products that are utilized in the neutralization of gastric acid. This drug with neutral pH makes them to be liable to microbial contamination. This study was conducted to evaluate antacid suspensions marketed in Delta State, Nigeria based on their microbial quality. Six different brands of antacid suspensions were collected from different Pharmacies in Delta state and were analysed microbiologically to isolate and quantify the implicated bacteria and fungi using conventional cultural and biochemical techniques. The microbiological evaluation of these samples was determined using the agar-well diffusion method. Five out of the six brands evaluated were found to be populated with a huge number of bacteria (2.5 x 102 to > 2.2 x 102 CFU/ml) and fungi (2 x 102 to 8 x 102 CFU/ml). Staphylococcus aureus was absent in any of the antacids brands studied. However, there were presence of objectionable microorganisms, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in three of the six brands. The results of this study reveal the microbial contamination level of some of the antacid (suspensions) marketed in Delta State which may be due to poor adherence to current good manufacturing practice by the manufacturers

Microbiological Examination of Ready-to-Eat Salads (Crispy Green) from Retail Establishments in the United Kingdom

A study of ready-to-eat salads (crispy Green) from retail establishments in the United Kingdom, was undertaken to determine their microbiological quality. The salads were collected and examined according to a standardized protocol. Total count was carried out and all colonies on CFC and MRS were counted as Pseudomonas and Lactobacilli respectively, while yeast and mould counts were obtained from RBCA agar. Only large dark colonies on VRBA agar were counted. E. coli enumeration was obtained from E. coli broth culture to check for acid and gas production which was found to be negative and a confirmatory test was carried out using tryptone water for indole production. This study has shown that there was a level of contamination associated with ready-to-eat salad in the U.K. The APC count was within the acceptable range according to the PHLS Guidelines. No growth of E. coli and Listeria was recorded showing that sample was satisfactory in that respect. For Pseudomonas there was a notable count due probably to the favourable temperature that suites their survival as they have the ability to grow at low temperature. There was also high count for yeast and mould, due possibly to their ability to grow at low temperature, with their optimum at 15-30oC

Antimicrobial and phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaf extract of buchholzia coriacea (wonderful cola)

Aqueous infusion of the leaf extract of Buchholzia coriaceae is used in the treatment of infections like cough, wound and diarrhea. In vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extract of leaves of B. coriacea were evaluated against four reference bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, K. spp) and one reference fungus (C. albicans ). Gentamicin and tioconazole were used as control. The leaves were harvested, dried, pulverized and extracted by process of cold maceration using the polar solvent methanol. The parameters evaluated included phytochemical constituents, extraction yield and antimicrobial activity using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, reducing sugars, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The extract was found to have broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that was comparable to that of gentamicin and tioconazole. This justifies the folkloric use of the plant as an antimicrobial agent

Some Recent Advances in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems

Transdermal delivery systems are forms of drug delivery involving the dermis, as distinct from topical, oral or other forms of parenteral dosage forms. Over the years transdermal drug delivery systems have progressed in terms of usage and innovations making it gain increasing popularity. The route has a lot of advantages over other dosage forms. New innovations are being consistently introduced in transdermal drug delivery systems. Among these are the delivery of drugs using peptide chaperones, technologies to reduce the skins resistance to administered drugs, discovery of transdermal penetration enhances and low frequency ultrasound treatment of skin to enhance drug penetration