Pharmaceutical Microbiology Insights

An understanding of what and how microbes do things depends upon our ability to grow the organisms in the laboratory. In order to culture them, we must provide them with proper food and environmental conditions, isolate them and maintain them in pure culture (clone). In microbiology, the term growth refers to an increase in the number of cells  (colony or culture), not an increase in the size of the individual cells. Microbial growth requirements, 1.     Proper nutrients must be available 2.     Oxygen or other gases must be available. 3.     Moisture is necessary. 4.     Proper pH. 5.     Proper Temperature 6.     The medium must be free of interfering dis-burdens(growth Inhibitors). 7.     Contamination must be preventive. Requirements for microbial growth are divided into two categories, physical and chemical.  Physical aspects include tem...

Sterilization : ·          Sterilization is a method  that can remove, kill and deactivate microorganisms. ·          Sterilization process eliminates (removes) or kills (deactivates) all forms of life and other biological   agents. ·          Sterilization can be achieved with one or more of the following 1.        Heat Sterilization 2.        Chemical sterilization 3.        Sterilization by radiation 4.        Gas sterilization done by ethylene oxide sterilization 5.        Filtration. ·          Depending upon the requirement these sterilization methods have different applications. ·          For example we ...

microbiology different tests are performed like Microbial limit tests (MLT), Sterility tests, Bacterial endotoxin testing (BET), viable monitoring, Growth promotion tests and LBPC etc. In these tests some are qualitative, some are quantitative and some are semi quantitative tests. Qualitative tests : ·          Qualitative tests are given either pass or fail / present or absent. ·          Qualitative results are typically reported as positive or negative / detected or not detected. ·          This type tests provide yes or no answer about sample. ·          In these type of tests results are not given in form of counting or calculations. ·          Sterility test is one of the best example of qualitative test because in sterility  test, results    would be ...

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a family of diseases of humans and animals characterized by spongy degeneration of the brain with severe and fatal neurological signs and symptoms Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a class of fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by an infectious agent which has to date been identified as an abnormal proteinaceous particle termed a “prion.” TSEs can be hereditary, occur spontaneously, or can be transmitted through direct inoculation of infectious tissue. TSEs have the characteristic symptoms of progressive neurodegeneration that include lack of muscular coordination, tremors, increasing mental confusion, and progressive muscular weakness that ultimately overcomes the entire body. The disease is always fatal, typically in a matter of months once the onset of symptoms appears.   Although there is some variation in how the different TSEs manifest themselves, all result in symptoms of progressive n...

 Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE),commonly known as mad cow disease.  is a fatal neurodegenerative disease (encephalopathy) in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord.  The disease may be most easily transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with the brain, spinal cord or digestive tract of infected carcasses. However, the infectious agent, although most highly concentrated in nervous tissue, can be found in virtually all tissues throughout the body, including blood. In 1997, FDA published a final regulation that prohibits the use of most mammalian protein in the manufacture of animal feeds given to ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. The rule does not prohibit the use of mammalian protein as an ingredient in feed for non-ruminants, but requires process and control systems to ensure that such use does not cause contamination of ruminant feed during feed manufacture or transport. FDA strengthen...

·         A dye is colouring agent used for general purposes and a stain is used for any biological specimen staining. Also dye is crude and stain is purified form.  ·         Dyes are the textile colouring agents that have been prepared with lesser specifications and they may contain  the impurities. ·         Stains are the biological colouring agents that are more pure and prepared with greater care and specification. ·         Stain is temporary whereas dyes are permanent and can be removed only after cell wall destruction. .     Dyes is coloring agent used for general purpose.       example : textile industry dyes are used - this dye containing many impurities. .     Stains is coloring agent used for biological specimen.       example : Gram staining technique used in crysta...

Is coloring agent. developed the contrast between the specimen and back ground. Enhance the contrast. Staining is technique used in microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image. Stain and dyes are frequently used in biological tissues for viewing, often with the aid of different microscopes. Stains may be used to define and examine bulk tissues (highlighting for example, muscle fibers or connective tissue) cell populations (classifying different blood cells, for instance), or organelles with individual cells. Bacteria have nearly the same refractive index as water, therefore when they are observed under a microscope they are opaque or nearly invisible to the naked eye. Different types of staining methods are used to make the cells and their internal structures more visible under the light microscope. Microscopes are of little use unless the specimens for viewing are prepared properly. Microorganisms must be fixed & stained to increase visibility, accentuate sp...

Different types of fungal staining technique available. 1.     Lactophenol cotton blue  (LPCB). 2.     PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) reaction. 3.     PAS and GMS (P eriodic Acid Schiff and  Gomari methenamine Silver) reaction. Majorly used in Lactophenol cotton blue test 1.     Lacto phenol cotton blue test (LPCB) staining Procedure. ·          Take the lacto phenol cotton blue kit. ·          Lacto phenol cotton blue solution is a mounting medium and staining agent. ·          Check the composition. Ingredients : Phenol crystals------------ 20.0gm Cotton blue----------------- 0.050gm Lactic acid------------------ 20.0ml Glycerol--------------------- 20.0ml Distilled water------------- 20.0ml Directions: 1.  Take a clean glass slide. 2.  add a drop of La...