Tuesday, 18 August 2015

Selection of incubation conditions for environment monitoring plates in pharmaceutical microbiology

Environment monitoring plays an important role in observing and controlling the contamination in controlled areas. Selection of environment monitoring incubation condition is an important factor for the recovery of both bacteria and fungus. But selection of proper incubation conditions for environment monitoring plates is very confusing and it confuses every microbiologist. A microbiologist must know the proper incubation conditions for recovery of microorganisms.

SCDA media plate showing microbial growth
There was a time when two different media were used for the recovery of bacteria and fungus separately in environment monitoring. But now a days, single media plates are used for the recovery of both bacteria and fungi in environment monitoring. Selection of proper media for the recovery of bacteria and fungus is also another important factor. In pharmaceutical, Soyabean casein digest agar (SCDA) media is used for the environment monitoring. But for the recovery of bacteria and fungus two different incubation conditions are required. For fungal growth low temperature of 20-25°C is required and for bacterial growth high temperature of 30-35°C is required. Total 5 days incubation period is commonly used for environment monitoring plates in which plates are incubated for 72 hours for fungal growth and 48 hours for bacterial growth. But what creates confusion?

SCDA media plate showing microbial growth
SCDA media plate showing microbial growth

Actually two different temperatures are required for the recovery of bacteria and fungus on single media plates and we don't have to compromise with the growth of either one. But the problem is that at what temperature plates should be incubated first? Whether fungus should be recovered first or bacteria. Whether lower temperature is suitable first for the recovery of fungus or we should incubate first at higher temperature for the recovery of bacteria. What would be the impact of temperature on the recovery of bacterial and fungal growth if we incubate environment monitoring plates first at low temperature for fungus and then at higher temperature for bacteria and vice versa? These are the questions which comes in mind when selecting incubation conditions for environment monitoring. Currently two different incubation concepts are followed in pharmaceutical for environment monitoring plates.
(a) First incubate at 20-25°C temperature for 72 hours for fungal growth and then same plates transferred to 30-35°C for further 48 hours for bacterial growth.
(b) First incubate at 30-35°C temperature for 48 hours for bacterial growth and then same plates transferred to 20-25°C for further 72 hours for fungal growth.
These two concepts are there but which incubation condition should be selected to recover both bacteria and fungus effectively?
If we see USP chapter number (1116) Microbiological control and monitoring of aseptic processing environment, it is mentioned that incubating at low temperature first may compromise the recovery of gram positive cocci that are important because they are often associated with humans. Here important thing is that in aseptic area, humans are the major source of product contamination and it is important to recover the microorganisms which are associated with humans. So, if we incubate first at low temperature for fungal growth then we may compromise with the recovery of these human associated gram positive cocci. This is one of the reason which support the concept of incubating environment monitoring plates first at high temperature of 30-35°C for 48 hours for the recovery of bacteria and then at low temperature of 20-25°C for 72 hours for fungal growth. Another important thing is that most of the fungus easily grow in a range of 20-35°C and incubating first at 30-35°C for 48 hours also results in the growth of fungus. When we incubate environment monitoring plates first at  30-35°C, fungal colonies grow in that condition and we can easily count the number of fungal cfu's in initial stage of growth. But it would become difficult to count the fungal cfu's when fungal colonies develop  properly and spread on the media plates. Spreading of fungal colonies results in merging of different fungal colonies and that causes difficulty to count the number of cfu's properly. This is the another factor which support the incubation of environment monitoring plates first at 30-35°C. So, its a good option to incubate environment monitoring plates first at 30-35°C for 48 hours and then 20-25°C for further 72 hours.



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Thursday, 13 August 2015

How to select sampling locations for environment monitoring programme?

Environmental monitoring programme is the key factor to check and control the contamination in clean rooms. To get accurate and reproducible results, environment monitoring programme should be sound and justified. In pharmaceuticals clean rooms are classified mainly in to four different grades.
1. Class A
2. Class B 
3. Class C 
4. Class D
How clean rooms are classified?
Clean rooms are classified on the basis for two factors.
Viable count includes living microbial forms like bacteria, fungus and their spores and non viable count includes particles of  0.5 and 5.0 micron in size. Non viable count or particle count methods have their own limitations. The main limitation of non viable particle count is that it doesn't discriminate between viable and non viable particle. Every particle in the range of  0.5 and 5.0 micron will be considered as a part of non viable particle count if detected by the particle counter. Why we detect 0.5 and 5.0 micron particle size during particle monitoring? This topic I have already explained in one of my blog. In order to implement effective environment monitoring programme, thorough study about clean room is required. Before doing environment monitoring in clean area sampling locations should be decided and justified. This work has to be done during area qualification. The main question is how to select particular sampling location to get accurate and reproducible results because microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature?

How to select sampling location when we have so many locations to choose?
Environment monitoring programme will only give accurate and reproducible results if we choose sampling locations wisely. Proper justification for selection of particular location is required and that should be included in the Risk assessment study for environment monitoring programme. 
In ISO 14644-1, Clean-rooms and associated controlled environment (Part 1- Classification of air cleanliness) formula is mentioned to calculate the number of locations in a particular area for non viable count.
NL = √ A
Where NL is number of locations (rounded up to a whole number)
A is the area of the room in square meter.
This formula might work well for calculating number of locations for non viable particle monitoring but for viable monitoring consideration should be given to the area with higest risk of contamination. We can't apply this formula to calculate the number of locations for viable count. For viable count no formula could work better than the person's own knowledge about the clean area, associated critical factors, major source of contamination etc. This approach is totally based on the risk assessment study. Risk assessment study is basically calculation of qualitative and quantitative risk related to the product which includes magnitude of the risk, probability of that risk and impact of that risk on the product. In clean areas personnel are the major source of product contamination because personnel continuously sheds particles through the skin, mucous membrane and respiratory system. So, consideration should be given to high traffic areas.  So, to select number of sampling location in clean area for viable count, additional risk based assessment study is required in which sampling locations should be selected on the basis of following parameters:
* Select the location where critical product is directly exposed to environment
* Select the locations where probability of finding contamination is maximum 
* Select the locations where movement is maximum/high traffic areas
* Select the location where air flow is not proper
* Select difficult to clean areas
So, these are the major locations where the probability of finding the contamination is maximum and these locations should be selected to get actual data about the clean area. An environmental monitoring programme must cover all the important factors like:
* Sampling locations - Justification for selection of sampling locations
* Frequency of monitoring - When to perform sampling 
* Different monitoring methods - Passive air sampling, Active air sampling, Surface monitoring and Personnel monitoring, 
* Conditions - At rest or in dynamic condition 
* Alert and action limits - Should be decided according to trend of particular area
* Required investigation - In case of any excursion in environmental monitoring count what investigation and CAPA required?
So, these things should be kept in mind while implementing effective environment monitoring programme. Beside this, media plays an important role for the recovery of viable count. For environment monitoring, Soyabean casein digest agar (SCDA) media is commonly used for the recovery of bacteria as well as for fungus because this is the general purpose media and contains all required nutrients for growth of microorganisms. This single media is used for recovery of both type of microorganisms (bacteria and fungus). SCDA media plates are incubated at low temperature as well as at high temperature. For recovery of bacteria high temperature in a range of 30-35°C is required and for the recovery of fungus low temperature in the range of 20-25°C is required. Plates are first incubated at 20-25°C for 72 hours in BOD incubator and then same plates are transferred to 30-35°C for further 48 hours in Bacteriological incubator or vice versa.


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Monday, 10 August 2015

What is the difference between BOD and bacteriological incubator?

In microbiology incubators required for the incubation purpose. Incubators provide specific temperature which is required for the growth of the microorganisms. Bacteria require generally 2-3 days of incubation for growth and fungus require 5-7 days for growth. In microbiology two types of incubators are commonly used:
2. Bacteriological incubators

Incubator
BOD incubators are used to provide low temperature in range of 20-25°C for the growth of fungus and bacteriological incubators are used to provide temperature range of 30-35°C for the growth of bacteria.The main difference between these two types of incubator is temperature. Bacteriological incubators works at ambient temperature and it contains only heating mechanism. In these bacteriological incubators, if set temperature is in range of 30-35°C then they can only maintain their set temperature if surrounding environment temperature is below or in a range of 30-35°C. If surrounding temperature is higher then the incubator set temperature then there would be rise in display temperature of incubator because of high temperature of surrounding air and that air is used for the circulation in the chamber. Bacteriological incubator has no cooling mechanism to lower the display temperature.  But in case of BOD incubators they also use same air from surrounding environment for circulation in the chamber but they have heating as well as cooling mechanism and they work independent of surrounding temperature. BOD incubators contains heating coils as we as compressor for cooling process. If incubator set at temperature of 20-25°C and surrounding temperature is higher than this set temperature then BOD incubator maintain the set temperature with the help of cooling mechanism and if surrounding temperature is low as compare to set temperature then heating would be generated with the help of heating coils. BOD incubators are also called low temperature incubators. These BOD incubators could be used as bacteriological incubator by changing the incubation set temperature requirements.


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Thursday, 6 August 2015

What are selective, differential, enriched, nutrient and minimal media?

In microbiology, we use different type of media on routine basis. Different media have different properties and used for different type of microorganisms. Different types of media are mentioned below.

Selective Media:
Selective media are those media which are used to support growth of one group of microorganisms but inhibit the growth of other group of microorganisms. For example in case of Mannitol salt agar media. It contains very high amount of salt (7.5%) which inhibit the growth of gram negative bacteria and it is selective for gram positive bacteria like staphylococcus. MacConkey agar media is also selective for gram negative bacteria and other bacteria which found in the intestinal track. MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet which inhibit the growth of gram positive bacteria.

Differential Media:
Differential media are those media which are used to distinguish closely related microorganisms based on their morphology on different agar media. For example in case of Mannitol salt agar, it contains mannitol and phenol red as pH indicator which support the growth of mannitol fermenting staphylococcus. Acid produced due to mannitol fermentation is detected and due to presence of phenol red indicator dye staphylococcus shows yellow coloured colonies on mannitol salt agar media. MacConkey agar is also differential media which contains lactose and it support the growth of lactose fermenting bacteria like E.coli.

MacConkey Agar Media 
Mannitol Salt Agar Media
So, media could be both selective as well as differential.

Enriched media:
These media support the growth of wide variety of microorganisms and doesn't inhibit the growth of microorganisms. These media contains high amount of nutrients and mainly used to harvest the all types of microorganism which are present in the sample. For example Soyabean casein digest medium is used for enrichment of samples.

Nutrient media:
These media are also called general purpose media. These media are non selective and they contain general nutrients which required for the growth of wide range of microorganisms. Soyabean casein digest agar and Nutrient agar are the example of this type of media.

Minimal media:
Minimal media are those media which contains minimal nutrients for the growth of microorganisms. These media are mainly used for fastidious microorganisms. R2A media is an example of minimal media in which nutrients are present in very small amount.

List of media with Quantity, pH requirement and other Characteristics.

Media Details
S.No.
Name of Media
Quantity Required
pH
Remark
1
RVSEM
27.11g/1000 ml
5.2±0.2
115°C for 15 Minutes,10 lbs pressure
2
SDA
65.0g/1000 ml
5.6±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
3
RCM
37.54g/1000 ml
6.8±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
4
RCA
51.0g/1000 ml
6.8±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
5
PCA
23.50g/1000 ml
7.0±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
6
PAF
38.0g/1000 ml
7.0±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
7
PAP
46.40g/1000 ml
7.0±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
8
GN Broth
39.0g/1000 ml
7.0±0.2
115°C for 15 Minutes,10 lbs pressure
9
MA
49.53g/1000 ml
7.1±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
10
EMB Agar
37.46g/1000 ml
7.1±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
11
FTGM
29.75g/1000 ml
7.1±0.2
Contains 0.75g/L Agar 
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
12
Peptone Water
15.0g/1000 ml
7.2±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
13
Bacteriological Peptone
0.1%
NA
For Sterility testing
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
14
R2A
18.12g/1000 ml
7.2±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
15
CA
45.30g/1000 ml
7.2±0.2
1.0% Glycerol (10 ml)
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
16
EEBM
42.93g/1000 ml
7.2±0.2
Do not Autoclave
17
SCDA
40.0g/1000 ml
7.3±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
18
SCDM
29.77g/1000 ml
7.3±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
19
MB
34.51g/1000 ml
7.3±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
20
XLDA
54.80g/1000 ml
7.4±0.2
Do not Autoclave
21
TSIA
64.52g/1000 ml
7.4±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
22
MSA
111.02g/1000 ml
7.4±0.2
121°C for 15 Minutes,15 lbs pressure
23
VRBGA
40.62g/1000 ml
7.4±0.2
Do not Autoclave



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What are environment isolates, their identification, methods of identification and their use in different validation studies?

Environment is fully loaded with the microorganisms. In environment some microorganisms are pathogenic and some are non pathogenic. In pharmaceuticals, controlled environment is used for manufacturing of drugs in which viable and non viable contamination must be controlled and monitored regularly. In pharmaceutical manufacturing areas, different types of microorganism could be present which we detect by using different methods of environmental monitoring programme like active air sampling, passive air sampling, surface monitoring and personnel monitoring. Environment isolates are the microorganism which we isolate form the environment like air, water, personnel etc. They are isolated from the environment that's why they are called environment isolates. 
                                                                    In pharmaceutical, it is important to identify environment isolates and they could be easily identified form environment, water, personnel or product etc. Identification of environment isolates is very important and mentioned in different guidelines and USP chapter no. 1116 (Identification of microbial isolates). In manufacturing environment these environment isolates are the main source of product contamination which could be introduced in the product through air, water, personnel or any other means. Environment isolates are the major tools for investigation in case of any product contamination or failure. If library of environment isolates is maintained then these environment isolates could be easily traced and if any previous history or outcome is there then it could be easily identify with the major source of contamination. Environment isolates should be properly isolated and library should be maintained with complete record. If any positive outcome or any product failure occurred then thorough investigation is required which includes identification of microorganisms, major source of contamination etc. As per pharmacopoeia and different regulatory guidelines microorganisms should be identified up to the species level. Different instrument and methods are available for the identification of microorganisms up to species level. DNA sequencing is one of the best method to identify microorganism up to species level. For example in case of identification of A.niger and A.brasiliensis both have same morphology on media plate but very small difference is there. So, DNA sequencing is the best method to identify closely related microorganisms up to species level. Once environment isolate identified then we can give right direction to the investigation and could identify root cause. 
Environment isolates should be preserved and used in different validation studies like disinfectant validation and Sterility validation etc. In disinfectant validation we use different reference microorganism strains mentioned in the pharmacopoeia but we should also check the effectiveness of different disinfectants against these environment isolates. If disinfectant is not effective against environment isolates then there is no need to use that disinfectant. Change of disinfectant is required in that case. In sterility validation we should also include environment isolates to check any bacteriostasis or fungistasis properties. Environment isolates should be properly recovered in the sterility media during sterility validation because failure to recover the microorganism can cause for false negative results. Environment isolates should be also used in the growth promotion test of the media in order to prove that particular media is suitable for recovery of microorganisms form the manufacturing or testing areas. So, identification of environment isolate is very important and major tool in investigation.


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Monday, 3 August 2015

Disinfectant Validation Procedure

1.0 Objective:
The objective of this protocol is to provide sufficient documented evidence in order to prove that the disinfectants employed for cleaning and sanitization are effective against wide range of microorganisms by employing Membrane Filtration method to establish the effective working concentration and contact time.
2.0 Scope:
The scope of this Validation protocol is to assure the efficacy of different disinfectant used for cleaning as well as sanitizing the production manufacturing, microbiology testing areas and rest of the company premises (general areas) which could be capable enough to kill wide range of microbial flora generally prevailing in those areas.

3.0 Pre –Validation Requirement:
3.1 Selection of Microorganisms:
The microorganisms selected are based on different classifications. The selected microorganisms include:
ü  Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC No. 6538 or equivalent)
ü  Gram positive spore forming bacteria (Bacillus subtilis ATCC No. 6633 or equivalent)
ü  Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa  ATCC No. 9027 or equivalent)
ü  Yeast (Candida albicans ATCC No. 10231 or equivalent)
ü  Mold (Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC No.16404 or equivalent)
ü  Environment Isolate if available
3.2 Selection of Disinfectants:
Disinfectants should be selected based on the following characteristics as mentioned below.
ü  Should be able to kill a wide range of microbial flora including pathogenic microbial strains.
ü  Should be non-toxic to humans on general application.
ü  Should not corrode the equipment surfaces on application.
ü  Should not possess any bad odour or residues on application.

3.3 Required Media, Diluents and other Accessories:

ü  Sterile molten Soyabean Casein Digest Agar (SCDA)
ü  Sterile molten Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA)
ü  Sterile Normal saline (0.9 % of sodium chloride solution)
ü  Sterile Purified Water or water for injection
ü  Sterile Membrane Filtration assembly with vacuum pump
ü  Sterile Forceps
ü  Vortex Mixer.
ü  Sterilized graduated 1ml and 10ml glass pipette.
ü  Calibrated micropipettes and sterile micro tips
ü  Sterile 0.1% w/v peptone water.
ü  Measuring cylinder.
ü  Disinfectant of different concentration.
ü  Sterile 0.9 % w/v normal saline tubes (10 ml)
ü  Sterile cotton swabs.
ü  Contact Plates.
ü  Cyclomixer
ü  Poured sterile SCDA plates
4.0 Selection of Different Surfaces:
Different surface are selected for the validation of Disinfectants to provide the documented evidence that all the disinfectants with required concentration and contact time are effective on all the surfaces which we have included as per company premises product manufacturing and testing areas. 
4.1 List of different surfaces included for disinfectant validation studies are given below:
ü  Stainless Steel surface
ü  Glass surface
ü  GI doors surface
ü  Panel surface
ü  Granite surface
ü  Cota stone Surface
ü  PU coated surface
ü  Paint coated surface
ü  Epoxy coated surface
ü  Glove Surface
ü  Tiles Surface
5.0 Method for Disinfectant Validation:
Membrane Filtration technique is one of the simplest and effective analytical method for evaluation of sanitizer/disinfectant efficacy. This method involves the direct mixing of microbial cells or spores with the sanitizer/disinfectant and subsequent filtering of the solution at various intervals of contact time between sanitizer/disinfectant solution and microbial cultures. This method completely removes any the chances of bacteriostasis or Fungistasis.
6.0 Process for Validation of Efficacy of Disinfectant will be performed under following subheadings:
6.1 Preparation of challenge inoculums:
ü  Take required type of working culture (Spore culture in case of Bacillus subtilis).
ü  Take loopful of each working culture (Spore culture in case of Bacillus subtilis) and inoculate in to different tubes containing 10 ml Sterile saline and dilute the suspension serially using  10 fold dilution method from 10-1 to 10-8.
ü  Pipette out 0.1 ml of 10-1 diluted culture on to each of two Sterile Petri dishes.
ü  Repeat this step for 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7, and 10-8. Repeat the above 4 steps for all other cultures.
ü  Add 20 ml of SCDA medium for bacteria, SDA for Fungi that is melted and cooled at approximately 450 C.
ü  Cover the Petri dishes and mix the sample with Agar.
ü  Allow to solidify at room temperature. Invert the Petri dishes and incubate bacteria at 30-350 C for 48 hours, Candida albicans and Aspergillus brasiliensis at 20-250 C for 5 days.
ü  Preserve all the dilutions at 2-80 C. Examine the plate count as the average of two plates in terms of CFU’s/0.1 ml. Select the dilutions containing 10,000 to 100000 CFU’s/0.1 ml, store at 2-80 C and discard all other dilutions.
ü  Record the data in Attachment No-II.
6.2 Preparation of Bacillus spore culture:
ü  Take a pre-incubated sterile SCDA slant and a working culture of Bacillus.
ü  Pick a loopful of Bacillus culture and streak on surface of sterile SCDA slant.
ü  Incubate the slant at 30-35 0C for 7 days.
ü  Perform spore staining of this incubated culture and observe for its purity and spore formation.
üIf the culture shows spore, preserve this culture at 2-80C and use this spore culture for the preparation of inoculum of Bacillus as mentioned above.
ü  Record the data in Attachment No-I.
ü  Use the preserved dilution culture suspension within 7 days.
7.0 Disinfectants and Concentrations:
Prepare the disinfectants in sterile purified water or sterile water for injection and filter the disinfectants with 0.22 micron filters. The concentration and contact time of disinfectants should be based on the manufacturer recommendation. Prepare three different concentration of one disinfectants in which select one concentration which is recommended by manufacturer, one lower concentration and one higher concentration than the recommended concentration. Same with the contact time, use one contact time which is recommended by manufacturer, then choose one lesser contact time and one higher contact time. For example if recommended concentration by manufacturer is 1.0% for any disinfectant with 10 minutes of contact time then we can select 0.5% which is lower concentration with contact time of 5 minutes which is again less contact time than the recommended contact time. Select one higher concentration of 2.0% which is higher than the recommended and higher contact time of 15 minutes. By preparing three different concentrations and different contact time perform the validation study.
7.1 Use Dilution Method:
ü  Dilute disinfectant solution as per the selected concentration.
ü  Use sterile purified water or sterile water for injection as diluent.
ü  Arrange required number of sterile empty test tubes in a test tube rack.
ü  Use calibrated micropipettes or graduated pipettes for dispensing the inoculums and disinfectant solution.
ü  Add 10 ml of manufacturer recommendation concentration of disinfectant solution in a test tube.
ü  Add 10 ml of lower and higher concentrations of disinfectant in other test tubes.
ü  Arrange one sterile tube containing 10 ml of diluent (for initial count of challenge inoculum).
ü  Add 0.1 ml of prepared challenge inoculum to 10 ml of diluent.
ü  Dilute the solution using 10 fold dilution from 10-1 to 10-8 and plate from 10-1 Dilution.
ü  Incubate these plates for initial count determination at appropriate temperatures.
ü  Arrange the sterile filter holder having 0.45µm membrane filter on manifold and assemble the manifold to vacuum source.
ü  Add 0.1 ml of challenge inoculum to all the tubes which contains disinfectant solution.
ü Contact time of all concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) should be done at room temperature first for 5 minutes. For positive controls, inoculation done in duplicate for each challenge microbial culture strain and Negative control should be kept un-inoculated. After the completion of ‘5’ minutes contact time, the solutions should be filtered using separate filter holder. Each membrane filter was rinsed with 3 X 100 ml sterile 0.1% peptone water to remove the traces of disinfectants.
ü  Neutralizers could be used if required to neutralize any traces of disinfectant on the filter or we may use media containing neutralizers.
ü  After rinsing, place each membrane filter on the surface of individual pre-incubated agar medium plates.
ü  Similarly challenge all the prepared concentration for contact time of 10 and 15 minutes intervals individually, mix and filter the solution of each tube using individual filter holder for each time.  Rinse each membrane filter with 3 X 100 ml sterile 0.1% peptone water.
ü  After rinsing place each membrane filter on the surface of individual pre-incubated agar medium plates.
ü  Incubate all plates at 30oC – 35oC for 48 hours for bacteria and the plates with the challenge inoculums of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at 20oC – 25oC for 5 days. Examine all plates each day for the presence of any microbial growth and compare with initial count.
ü  Similarly Challenge different concentrations of other disinfectants with 0.1 ml of the inoculums used in the previous test at different contact time individually and proceed as given above employing membrane filtration.
ü  Record the data in Attachment No-III.
7.2 Surface Challenge Test:
This method involves application of disinfectants to the different surfaces, challenged with standard test organisms, at the selected use concentration with a specified contact time and determining the log reduction of the challenge microorganisms.
7.3 Determination of efficacy of disinfectant:
ü  Perform all the activities under Laminar Air Flow.
ü  Prepare plates of Soyabean casein digest Agar (SCDA) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA).
ü  Use pre-incubated plates for validation study.
ü Use the dilutions of the culture suspension and challenge the surfaces of the material to be evaluated with 0.1 ml of the inoculums.
ü  Spread the cell uniformly over the surface of 2 inch X 2 inch square with the help of sterile L shaped spreader.
ü  Allow the suspension to dry.
ü  After completely drying spray the recommended concentration of the chosen disinfectant on the surface where inoculums are spread and note the contact time.
ü  Take required number of readymade sterile swab for sampling and wet those swabs in sterile 0.9% saline solution under LAF.
ü  Take the swab from the surface of 2 inch X 2 inch square by following horizontal strokes first followed by vertical strokes.
ü  Replace the swab in to the tube with saline and mark the swab tube properly with date of sampling and name of organisms.
ü  Vortex the tube by cyclomixer to make the suspension uniform.
ü  Filter the content of the swab by 0.45µm pore size filter paper.
ü  Wash membrane with 3x100 ml of 0.1% sterile peptone water to remove residue of disinfectant.
ü  Aseptically transfer the membrane filter to the pre-incubated plate of Soyabean casein digest agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Avoid air trapping between the filter and agar surface.
ü  Incubate the plates of bacteria at 30-35°C for 48 hours and for fungus 5 days.
ü  Observe the plates after completion of incubation; express the results in cfu/plate.
ü  Record the data in Attachment No-IV.
ü  Fill the validated concentration and contact time for particular disinfectant as per Attachment No.-V.

8.0 Acceptance Criteria:
ü  The concentration of disinfectant which shows required reduction in microbial count at the least concentration and contact time shall be selected as effective concentration. 
ü  The disinfectant solution should bring a minimum of 3-log reduction for vegetative cells and minimum 2 log reduction for spore cells. 
9.0 Re-Validation:
The Disinfectant Efficacy validation shall be re-validated in one or more of following cases:
ü  Replacement of any disinfectant.
ü  Change in the composition of disinfectant by manufacturer.
ü  Change in cleaning procedure

10.0 Change Control System:
Any changes in the proposed equipment/system/procedure shall be carried out through the change control procedure. 
 11.0 Validation Report:
ü  The Validation report shall consist of a summary document, in narrative form, which shall briefly describe the activity performed along with the observations recorded.
ü  This report shall also include the related documents and attachments/annexure which completed at the time of validation activity.



Attachment No-I

Preparation of Bacillus subtilis Spores
Working Culture No



MTCC No.

Equivalent ATCC No.



Incubation Temperature

Agar medium used


Incubation Period

Medium Lot No.



Incubator ID No.

 
Staining Method used:

Result of Staining: ________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                ________________________________________________________________________________


Done By/Sign:                             Checked By/Sign:                  Reviewed By/Sign                                  



Attachment No-II

Preparation of Challenge inoculum

Name of the Culture:                                                 Working culture tube No.Used:         
Strain No:                                                                   Equivalent ATCC No.:
Name of the Diluent used:                                         Dilution made:
Agar Medium used:                                                   Medium Lot No:
Incubation period and Temperature:                         Incubator I.D.No.:
Dilution Plated
Count/0.1ml/plate
Plate-1
Plate-2
Average

































Interpretation: As per the above Observation it is estimated that the________ dilution tube contain the culture concentration of ______________________ CFU’s/0.1 ml



  Done By/Sign:                             Checked By/Sign:                 Reviewed By/Sign   



Attachment No-III
 Use Dilution Test

 Use Dilution Test

Name of Disinfectant:                                                     MTCC No.:
Name of the Organism:                                                   Equivalent ATCC No.:
Date of test:                                                                     Date of observation:                                                                      
Name of the Organism

Initial Count

Log of Initial Count

Concentration



Contact Time  _______________




Contact Time  _______________




Contact Time  _______________














 Log Reduction Calculation:
Concentration and Contact time
Log of CFU’s recovered in initial count – Log of CFU’s recovered in Test
































Remarks:   Minimum concentration and Contact Time found to be effective_______________
Acceptance Criteria:The disinfectant should bring a minimum of 3-log reduction or more.


Done By/Sign:                             Checked By/Sign:                  Reviewed By/Sign   



Attachment No-IV
Surface Challenge Test

  Surface Challenge Test
  Name of Disinfectant:                                                                 Name of Surface:
  Recommended Concentration:
  Date of test:                                                                                  Date of observation:
  Observations:

Cultures
Contact
Time
Initial count

Log of Initial
Count (a)
Count
Observed in Test
Log of Observed Count (b)
Log
Reduction
(a-b)

Staphylococcus aureus















Bacillus

















Pseudomonas aeruginosa

















C.albicans



















Aspergillus brasiliensis



















Negative Control


Remarks: The disinfectant is able/ not able to bring _____ log reduction  for  the microorganism at _______% concentration and _______min and is  suitable  /not suitable for use.
  
   Done by/Date:                                 Checked By/Date:                             Approved by/Date:



Attachment No-V

List of Disinfectants with Validated concentration and Contact time

S.No
Name of Disinfectant
Contact Time
Effective Concentration (%)
1



2



3



4



5





Done by/Date:                                         Checked By/Date:             Approved by/Date:


Thanks and have a nice day!