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Microbial Stability of Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Products

  • Mini-Review
  • Theme: Stability of Pharmaceutical Excipients
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Abstract

This review gives a brief overview about microbial contamination in pharmaceutical products. We discuss the distribution and potential sources of microorganisms in different areas, ranging from manufacturing sites, pharmacy stores, hospitals, to the post-market phase. We also discuss the factors that affect microbial contamination in popular dosage forms (e.g., tablets, sterile products, cosmetics). When these products are contaminated, the microorganisms can cause changes. The effects range from mild changes (e.g., discoloration, texture alteration) to severe effects (e.g., changes in activities, toxicity). The most common method for countering microbial contamination is the use of preservatives. We review some frequently used preservatives, and we describe the mechanisms by which microorganisms develop resistance to these preservatives. Finally, because preservatives are inherently toxic, we review the efforts of researchers to utilize water activity and other non-preservative approaches to combat microbial contamination.

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Author notes

  1. Huy Dao, Prit Lakhani, Anitha Police, Venkataraman Kallakunta, Sankar Srinivas Ajjarapu, Kai-Wei Wu, Pranav Ponkshe, Michael A. Repka and S. Narasimha Murthy contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS, 38677, USA

    Huy Dao, Prit Lakhani, Anitha Police, Venkataraman Kallakunta, Sankar Srinivas Ajjarapu, Kai-Wei Wu, Pranav Ponkshe, Michael A. Repka & S. Narasimha Murthy

  2. Institute for Drug Delivery and Biomedical Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

    S. Narasimha Murthy

Authors
  1. Huy Dao
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  2. Prit Lakhani
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  3. Anitha Police
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  4. Venkataraman Kallakunta
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  5. Sankar Srinivas Ajjarapu
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  6. Kai-Wei Wu
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  7. Pranav Ponkshe
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  8. Michael A. Repka
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  9. S. Narasimha Murthy
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Narasimha Murthy.

Additional information

Guest Editors: S.Narasimha Murthy and Michael A. Repka

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Dao, H., Lakhani, P., Police, A. et al. Microbial Stability of Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Products. AAPS PharmSciTech 19, 60–78 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-017-0875-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-017-0875-1

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