Use of Microbial Control in Pharmaceutical Water
While preparing pharmaceutical purified water for injections it must be ensured that it is free from bacteria and does not contain anti-microbial agents, which can mask the presence of bacteria. Anti-microbial agents do not destroy bacteria instantaneously. Often bacteria may exist even when anti-microbial agent is present.
Ozonated USP water purification system can contain traces of ozone due to in adequate or inappropriate in line ultraviolet selection or excessively high ozone levels in storage tanks.
Ammonia is introduced into chlorinated water in many municipal water supplies. This reduces halogenated disinfection byproducts which are known carcinogens. The chlorine reacts with ammonia to form chloramines. The chloramines can be removed by use of granular activated carbon media. The media has to be replaced very six months.
Both purified water and water for injection must meet the “Drinking water” standards. Fecal Coliform or E. coli testing must be performed to ensure that it is not present in the water. Microbial control by installing a pretreatment plant upstream from a reverse osmosis system is essential for USP purified water and water for injection. There after total Coliform monitoring of the water from this system should also be carried out.
The best water purification with lowest microbial levels is found in systems having an activated carbon as a reducing agent in the process.
Tags: Activated carbon
