Comparison of three experimental designs employed in gentamicin microbiological assay through agar diffusion

Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic complex produced by actinomycetes belonging to Micromonospora genus and classified among aminoglycoside antibiotics, used in the treatment of serious infections derived from Gram-negative microorganisms. Alterations of their antimicrobial activity not shown in chemical assays can be evaluated through microbiological assays. The aim of this work was to compare 5 x 1, 2 x 2 and 3 x 1 experimental designs, evaluating validation parameters of specificity, linearity, range, precision, and accuracy for each experimental design in different levels of concentration, presentation, and lots. It consisted of 81 assays (in 3 replicas) of gentamicin microbiological dosage. The concentrations of the solutions used were employed in a range from 1.0 μg/mL to 5.0 μg/mL, diluted in phosphate buffer 0.1 M pH 8.0. Antibiotic medium number 11 was used, with Staphyloccocus epidermis (ATCC 12228). 21ml of medium were used as base layer and 4 ml of medium inoculated at 1% were used as surface layer. The dishes were incubated for 18 hours at 37 ± 1 ºC. The three designs employed showed adequate specificity for analysis of dermatological cream and injectable solution containing gentamicin sulphate. They also showed accuracy and linearity in the range evaluated, but not a significant difference concerning precision. The results were compared by means of the determination of the rates of measurement system capacity. The statistical analysis demonstrated that there is no significant difference among the results obtained through 5 x 1, 2 x 2, and 3 x 1, being these equivalent and interchangeable.A gentamicina é um complexo antibiótico de largo espectro, produzido por actinomicetos do gênero Micromonospora e classificado entre os antibióticos aminoglicosídeos, utilizado no tratamento de infecções graves, devidas a microrganismos Gram-negativos. Alterações da sua atividade antimicrobiana, não demonstradas pelos ensaios químicos, podem ser avaliadas pelos ensaios microbiológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os delineamentos experimentais 5 x 1, 2 x 2 e 3 x 1, avaliando-se os parâmetros de validação de especificidade, linearidade, faixa ou intervalo, precisão e exatidão para cada delineamento experimental em diferentes níveis de concentração, apresentações e lotes. O plano de trabalho constituiu-se na realização de 81 ensaios (em 3 réplicas) de doseamento microbiológico de gentamicina. As concentrações das soluções empregadas foram preparadas numa faixa de 1,0 μg/mL a 5,0 μg/mL, diluídos em tampão fosfato 0,1 M pH 8,0. O meio utilizado foi o meio antibiótico no. 11, com Staphyloccocus epidermidis (ATCC 12228). Empregou-se 21 mL de meio como camada base e 4 mL de meio inoculado à 1% como camada superfície. As placas foram incubadas por 18 horas à 37 ± 1 °C. Os três delineamentos empregados apresentaram especificidade adequada para análise de creme dermatológico e solução injetável contendo sulfato de gentamicina. Também apresentaram exatidão e linearidade no intervalo avaliado. Os delineamentos não apresentaram diferença significativa quanto a precisão. Os resultados foram comparados através da determinação de índices de capacidade do sistema de medição. A analise estatística demonstrou que não há diferença significativa entre os resultados obtidos pelos delineamentos 5 x 1, 2 x 2 e 3 x 1, sendo equivalentes e intercambiáveis

Comparison of three experimental designs employed in gentamicin microbiological assay through agar diffusion

Gentamicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic complex produced by actinomycetes belonging to Micromonospora genus and classified among aminoglycoside antibiotics, used in the treatment of serious infections derived from Gram-negative microorganisms. Alterations of their antimicrobial activity not shown in chemical assays can be evaluated through microbiological assays. The aim of this work was to compare 5 x 1, 2 x 2 and 3 x 1 experimental designs, evaluating validation parameters of specificity, linearity, range, precision, and accuracy for each experimental design in different levels of concentration, presentation, and lots. It consisted of 81 assays (in 3 replicas) of gentamicin microbiological dosage. The concentrations of the solutions used were employed in a range from 1.0 μg/mL to 5.0 μg/mL, diluted in phosphate buffer 0.1 M pH 8.0. Antibiotic medium number 11 was used, with Staphyloccocus epidermis (ATCC 12228). 21ml of medium were used as base layer and 4 ml of medium inoculated at 1% were used as surface layer. The dishes were incubated for 18 hours at 37 ± 1 ºC. The three designs employed showed adequate specificity for analysis of dermatological cream and injectable solution containing gentamicin sulphate. They also showed accuracy and linearity in the range evaluated, but not a significant difference concerning precision. The results were compared by means of the determination of the rates of measurement system capacity. The statistical analysis demonstrated that there is no significant difference among the results obtained through 5 x 1, 2 x 2, and 3 x 1, being these equivalent and interchangeable.A gentamicina é um complexo antibiótico de largo espectro, produzido por actinomicetos do gênero Micromonospora e classificado entre os antibióticos aminoglicosídeos, utilizado no tratamento de infecções graves, devidas a microrganismos Gram-negativos. Alterações da sua atividade antimicrobiana, não demonstradas pelos ensaios químicos, podem ser avaliadas pelos ensaios microbiológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os delineamentos experimentais 5 x 1, 2 x 2 e 3 x 1, avaliando-se os parâmetros de validação de especificidade, linearidade, faixa ou intervalo, precisão e exatidão para cada delineamento experimental em diferentes níveis de concentração, apresentações e lotes. O plano de trabalho constituiu-se na realização de 81 ensaios (em 3 réplicas) de doseamento microbiológico de gentamicina. As concentrações das soluções empregadas foram preparadas numa faixa de 1,0 μg/mL a 5,0 μg/mL, diluídos em tampão fosfato 0,1 M pH 8,0. O meio utilizado foi o meio antibiótico no. 11, com Staphyloccocus epidermidis (ATCC 12228). Empregou-se 21 mL de meio como camada base e 4 mL de meio inoculado à 1% como camada superfície. As placas foram incubadas por 18 horas à 37 ± 1 °C. Os três delineamentos empregados apresentaram especificidade adequada para análise de creme dermatológico e solução injetável contendo sulfato de gentamicina. Também apresentaram exatidão e linearidade no intervalo avaliado. Os delineamentos não apresentaram diferença significativa quanto a precisão. Os resultados foram comparados através da determinação de índices de capacidade do sistema de medição. A analise estatística demonstrou que não há diferença significativa entre os resultados obtidos pelos delineamentos 5 x 1, 2 x 2 e 3 x 1, sendo equivalentes e intercambiáveis

Rapid identification of microbial contaminants in pharmaceutical products using a PCA/ LDA-based FTIR-ATR method

Microbiological quality of pharmaceuticals is fundamental in ensuring efficacy and safety of medicines. Conventional methods for microbial identification in non-sterile drugs are widely used; however they can be time-consuming and laborious. The aim of this paper was to develop a chemometricbased rapid microbiological method (RMM) for identifying contaminants in pharmaceutical products using Fourier transform infrared with attenuated total reflectance spectrometry (FTIRATR). Principal components analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to obtain a predictive model capable of distinguishing Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 8459), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 10240), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) microbial growth. FTIR-ATR spectra provide data on proteins, DNA/RNA, lipids, and carbohydrates constitution of microbial growth. Microbial identification provided by PCA/LDA based on FTIRATR method were compatible with those obtained using traditional microbiological methods. The chemometric-based FTIR-ATR method for rapid identification of microbial contaminants in pharmaceutical products was validated by assessing the sensitivity (93.5%), specificity (83.3%), and limit of detection (17-23 CFU/mL of sample). Therefore, we propose that FTIR-ATR spectroscopy may be used for rapid identification of microbial contaminants in pharmaceutical products and taking into account the samples studied

Determination of apramycin in oral soluble powder by a HPLC method using pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and UV detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method employing pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and 2-mercaptoacetic acid was developed for the determination of apramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic used in veterinary medicine, in the oral soluble powder form. The chromatographic separation was done by ion-pair HPLC using a C18 reversed-phase column, Synergy Hydro (150 mm x 4.6 mm x 4 µm) and mobile phase composed of 0.005 mol/L sodium octanosulfonate in a mixture of acetonitrile: water: acetic acid (45:55:2) (v/v/v) with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; the UV detector was operated at 332 nm. The developed method was validated according to official compendia guidelines, having demonstrated robustness, selectivity and linearity for the concentration range of 0.02 to 0.05 mg/mL, precision (with RSD < 2.0% both for intra and inter-day precision) accuracy (average recuperation of 99.33%) and detectivity (quantification and detection limits of 0.08 and 0.02 µg/mL, respectively). Three batches of commercial apramycin oral soluble powder were analyzed by both the proposed method and the official microbiological method, where all the results obtained were in the acceptable range (95% to 105% of labeled value of apramycin). Both methods were statistically compared by the t test, which yielded no significant differences (&#945; = 0.05) thereby confirming the equivalence of the methods.Foi desenvolvido um método por cromatografia líquida alta eficiência empregando derivatização pré-coluna com o-ftalaldeído (OPA) e ácido mercaptoacético para determinação de apramicina, um antibiótico aminoglicosídeo de uso veterinário, em pó oral solúvel. A separação cromatográfica foi feita por fase reversa com pareamento iônico utilizando-se coluna Synergy Hydro C18 (150 x 4,6 mm x 4 µm) e fase móvel composta por octanossulfonato de sódio 0,005 mol/L em mistura de acetonitrila:água:ácido acético nas proporções 45:55:2 (v/v/v), numa vazão de 1.0 mL/min; efetuou-se detecção por UV a 332 nm. O método foi validado de acordo com os compêndios oficiais e demonstrou robustez, seletividade, linearidade na faixa de 0,02 a 0,05 mg/mL, precisão (com DPR < 2,0% tanto para a precisão intra-dia quanto para a precisão inter-dia), exatidão (recuperação média de 99,33%) e detectabilidade (limite de quantificação e de detecção iguais a 0,08 e 0,02 µg/mL, respectivamente). Analisaram-se 3 lotes de apramicina pó oral solúvel pelo método proposto e pelo método microbiológico oficial e todos os resultados obtidos estavam dentro do limite de aceitação (95%-105% valor rotulado de apramicina). Ambos os métodos foram comparados estatisticamente pelo teste t, não sendo encontradas diferenças significativas entre eles para &#945;=0,05, sendo os dois equivalentes

Comparison of dissolution profile of extended-release oral dosage forms - two one-sided equivalence test

The aim of this work is to present the two one-sided test (TOST) as an alternative approach to compare dissolution profiles of extended-release dosage forms. The dissolution profiles of oxycodone extended-release tablets containing 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg (reference and generic) were evaluated according to the requirements described in United States Pharmacopeia. These dissolution profiles were compared using the conventional similarity factor (f2) and the proposed TOST as an equivalence test. TOST is a simple and alternative approach to compare dissolution profiles of extended-release dosage forms. It allows us to identify the time-point (or time-points) that did not show similarity. We concluded that the two one-sided test performed at a significance level of 5% and defined as D = 10 showed results comparable to those obtained by the conventional similarity factor (f2).O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar o teste uni-caudal duplo (TOST) como uma abordagem alternativa na comparação do perfil de dissolução de formas farmacêuticas de liberação prolongada. Os perfis de dissolução de comprimidos de liberação prolongada de oxicodona contendo 10 mg, 20 mg e 40 mg (genérico e referência) foram avaliados de acordo com os requisitos descritos na Farmacopeia Americana. Estes perfis de dissolução foram comparados empregando-se o fator de semelhança convencional (f2) e o método TOST como teste de equivalência. TOST é uma abordagem simples e alternativa para a comparação de perfis de dissolução de formas farmacêuticas de liberação prolongada. Este permite identificar o ponto (ou pontos) que não apresentou semelhança. Considerando-se D = 10, concluímos que o teste uni-caudal duplo num nível de significância de 5% apresenta resultados comparáveis àqueles obtidos com o fator de semelhança convencional (f2)

Estimativa da incerteza em ensaio de detecção de endotoxina bacteriana pelo método de gelificação

Desde a publicação da ISO 17025:1999, o interesse em métodos para estimativa da incerteza em ensaios qualitativos, do tipo "passa/não passa", têm ganho grande importância. Uma forma de estimar e informar a incerteza deste tipo de ensaio é o uso das probabilidades de respostas-falsas, particularmente falsos-positivos e falsos-negativos, determinados a partir do teorema de Bayes. O objetivo deste artigo é estabelecer um método para a estimativa de incerteza em ensaios de detecção de endotoxina bacteriana pelo método in vitro Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL). Considerando a confirmação da sensibilidade do LAL e a validação do teste, a probabilidade de uma resposta falsa corresponde à soma da probabilidade dos resultados falso-negativos e falso-positivos. A partir dos resultados obtidos foi verificado que a etapa da confirmação da sensibilidade do LAL contribui para a incerteza de forma mais significativa (67,6%) que a etapa de validação do teste (32,4%). Através de um procedimento simples, descrito neste artigo, e de dados obtidos a partir da confirmação da sensibilidade do LAL e validação do teste para um produto em questão é possível obter uma estimativa de incerteza razoável para o ensaio de detecção de endotoxinas bacterianas pelo método de gelificação.Since the publication of ISO 17025:1999, the interest in methods for estimation of the uncertainty in qualitative analysis, such as 'pass/fail', have became more important. The usual form of estimating and informing the uncertainty in this kind of analysis is the use of false-response rates, particularly false-positive and false-negative, determinated from Bayes theorem. The aim of this paper is establish a method for estimation of the uncertainty in the detection of bacterial endotoxins by in vitro Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test. Considering the confirmation of LAL sensitivity and the validation of the test, the probability of a false-response corresponds to the sum of false-negative and false-positive result probabilities. From results obtained was verified that the confirmation of LAL sensitivity contributed to the uncertainty in a more significant way (67,6%) than the validation of the test (32,4%). Through this simple procedure and data obtained from the confirmation of LAL sensibility and the validation of the test is possible to obtain a reasonable estimation of the uncertainty of the detection of bacterial endotoxins by gel-clot test

Design of Experiments (DoE) applied to Pharmaceutical and Analytical Quality by Design (QbD)

According to Quality by Design (QbD) concept, quality should be built into product/method during pharmaceutical/analytical development. Usually, there are many input factors that may affect quality of product and methods. Recently, Design of Experiments (DoE) have been widely used to understand the effects of multidimensional and interactions of input factors on the output responses of pharmaceutical products and analytical methods. This paper provides theoretical and practical considerations for implementation of Design of Experiments (DoE) in pharmaceutical and/or analytical Quality by Design (QbD). This review illustrates the principles and applications of the most common screening designs, such as two-level full factorial, fractionate factorial, and Plackett-Burman designs; and optimization designs, such as three-level full factorial, central composite designs (CCD), and Box-Behnken designs. In addition, the main aspects related to multiple regression model adjustment were discussed, including the analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression significance, residuals analysis, determination coefficients (R2 , R2 -adj, and R2 -pred), and lack-of-fit of regression model. Therefore, DoE was presented in detail since it is the main component of pharmaceutical and analytical QbD

Effect of Polydextrose on the Growth of Pediococcus pentosaceus as Well as Lactic Acid and Bacteriocin-like Inhibitory Substances (BLIS) Production

Pediococcus pentosaceus was cultivated in MRS medium supplemented or not with polydextrose under different conditions in order to evaluate its effect on cell growth, lactic acid and bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) production. Independent variables were pH (4.0, 5.0, 6.0), rotational speed (50, 100, 150 rpm), polydextrose concentration (0.5, 1.0, 1.5%) and temperature (25, 30, 35 °C), while cell concentration and productivity after 24 h, maximum specific growth rate, specific rate of substrate (glucose) consumption, volumetric and specific lactic acid productivities, yields of biomass and lactic acid on consumed substrate were the dependent . The maximum cell concentration (10.24 ± 0.16 gX L−1) and productivity (0.42 ± 0.01gX L−1 h−1) were achieved at pH 6.0, 35 °C, 150 rpm using 1.5% polydextrose, while the maximum specific growth rate (0.99 ± 0.01 h−1) and yield of biomass (2.96 ± 0.34gX gS−1) were achieved at the same pH and polydextrose concentration, but at 25 °C and 50 rpm. The specific substrate consumption rate (0.09 ± 0.02 gS gX−1 h−1) and the volumetric lactic acid productivity (0.44 ± 0.02 gP L−1 h−1) were maximized at pH 6.0, 35 °C, 50 rpm and 0.5% polydextrose. BLIS produced in this last run displayed the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, while the same activity was displayed against Enterococcus faecium using 1.5% polydextrose. These results appear to be quite promising in view of possible production of this BLIS as an antibacterial agent in the food industr

Using fluid bed granulation to improve the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs

In this study, fluid bed granulation was applied to improve the dissolution of nimodipine and spironolactone, two very poorly water-soluble drugs. Granules were obtained with different amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate and croscarmellose sodium and then compressed into tablets. The dissolution behavior of the tablets was studied by comparing their dissolution profiles and dissolution efficiency with those obtained from physical mixtures of the drug and excipients subjected to similar conditions. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that the fluid bed granulation process improves the dissolution efficiency of both nimodipine and spironolactone tablets. The addition of either the surfactant or the disintegrant employed in the study proved to have a lower impact on this improvement in dissolution than the fluid bed granulation process