Antibiotic Assay Test : Principles, Methods, and Interpretation in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Antibiotic assay testing is an essential analytical procedure used to determine the potency, purity, and efficacy of antibiotic substances in pharmaceutical products. This test ensures that the antibiotic meets the required standards for therapeutic activity and complies with pharmacopoeial and regulatory guidelines such as those from USP, BP, and IP . The assay provides quantitative measurement of an antibiotic’s biological activity compared to a reference standard. 1. Introduction to Antibiotic Assay The potency of an antibiotic is directly related to its ability to inhibit the growth of specific microorganisms. Therefore, the microbiological assay remains one of the most reliable and sensitive techniques for evaluating antibiotic activity. It is especially useful when chemical assays cannot distinguish between active and inactive components or degradation products. 2. Objectives of Antibiotic Assay To determine the potency (activity) of an antibiotic sample. To com...