Microbiological
Assessment of Commercially Available Quinine Syrup and
Water for Injections in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Kennedy D Mwambete1*, Mary Justin-Temu2 and
Fatema S Fazleabbas3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, 2Department of
Pharmaceutics Muhimbili University of Health & Allied
Sciences, School of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 65013, 3Muhimbili
National Hospital, P.O. Box 6500, Dare es Salaam,
Tanzania.
*Corresponding author: Email: kmwambete@muhas.ac.tz;
Tel: +255-22-2150302-6, (0)787508782; Fax:
+255-22-2151596.
Received: 12 February
2009
Revised accepted: 10 June 2009
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, October 2009; 8(5):
441-447
Abstract
Purpose:
To conduct microbiological assessment of commercially
available quinine syrups and water for injection in Dar
es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es
Salaam Region. Samples of quinine syrups (QNSs) and
water for injection (WFI) of different batches were
randomly purchased. Each QNS was inspected for label
disclosure, and physicochemical properties were examined
by the use of sense of organs and pH meter. Isolation
and quantification of microbial contaminants from each
sample was preceded by 24 - 48 h incubation at 37 ºC,
and the microbial contaminants were expressed as colony
forming unit per millilitre (cfu/ml). Microbiological
identification of contaminants was performed by
examination of colony morphologies and growth
characteristics. Gram staining technique, as well as
biochemical and serological tests were also conducted
for further identification. Albino rabbits were used for
the pyrogen test to determine the presence of microbial
contamination in WFI.
Results:
Twenty-four samples of QNS underwent label disclosure,
physical-chemical and microbiological assessments. All
QNS samples complied with the guidelines and microbial
limits as per United States Pharmacopoeia (USP). All
batches of WFI were found to be microbiologically
contaminated, revealing average microbial counts of 87,
94 and 100 cfu/ml, and this was buttressed by pyrogen
test, with the animals showing temperature rise of 1.0,
2.2 and 2.4 ºC, respectively.
Conclusion:
The
QNS products available in the Dar es Salaam market were
of good microbial quality. However, WFI products were
microbiologically contaminated. We recommend that
regulatory authorities in Tanzania should diligently
enforce regulatory control of the products to assure
consumer safety.
Key words:
Microbiological quality, quinine syrups, water for
injection, pyrogen test.
