Stepwise Guide for Microbial Limit Testing in Pharmaceuticals
Stepwise Guide for Microbial Limit Testing in Pharmaceuticals Microbial Limit Testing (MLT) is a critical quality control procedure in the pharmaceutical industry. It ensures that non-sterile pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, capsules, ointments, and liquids, are free from harmful microorganisms and comply with regulatory standards like USP <61>/<62>, EP, and WHO guidelines . This stepwise guide will help microbiologists, QA professionals, and pharmaceutical analysts perform MLT efficiently while avoiding common errors. Step 1: Sample Collection & Preparation Collect representative samples according to SOPs. Aseptic handling is crucial to avoid contamination. Sample preparation methods: Soluble products: Dissolve in sterile diluent. Semi-solid products: Homogenize using sterile diluent. Powdered products: Suspend in sterile buffer. Prepare appropriate serial dilutions for testing. Step 2: Selection of Test Media Pro...