Cultivation of Aerobes

Testing for Aerobic Microorganisms in Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics Production Facilities

Aerobes are organisms that can grow and survive in oxygenated environments. They are classified in different types: Obligate aerobes need oxygen to survive and multiply. They use oxygen to oxidize substrates, for example sugars and fats, and thus obtain energy. This process is known as cellular respiration. Facultative anaerobes are able to use oxygen for energy production but they can also use anaerobic methods. Microaerophiles are also facultative anaerobes but require lower oxygen concentrations than in the atmosphere and do not tolerate higher concentrations. Aerotolerant anaerobes are not harmed by oxygen but do not use it. Obligate anaerobes cannot tolerate oxygen at all.

The Microbial Enumeration Test TAMC

The total aerobic microbial count (TAMC) is used in the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries for determining the total count of aerobic bacteria. This test is mandatory for every manufactured lot of pharmaceutical, health and personal care products. The most common methods for performing the test are the membrane filtration method, the pour plate method, the spread plate method and the serial dilution method.

TYMC (total yeast and mold count) is the second part of microbial enumeration. This test is used to detect mesophilic fungi in pharmaceutical ingredients.

High Quality Media for the Cultivation of Aerobes

For the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry it is very important to ensure that the manufacturing environment and the finished products do not contain harmful levels of microbes. Testing for aerobes is thus pivotal. Merck provides high quality media for the enrichment, isolation and enumeration of aerobic microorganisms. These consistent culture media are available in a variety of formulations as dehydrated culture media in the form of granules. Granulated culture media are very convenient to use and safe. They meet the highest industry performance standards as described in ISO 11133. The granules cause significantly less dust than powdered media upon use, and thus lead to less inhalation of hazardous media components that can cause allergic responses. In addition, granulation minimizes contamination of the work environment. All Merck media are quality controlled according to stringent standards. This guarantees the consistent high quality of our products.