Microbiologists working in both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, face considerable challenges in keeping abreast of the myriad microbiological references available to them, and the continuously evolving regulatory requirements. The Handbook of Microbiological Quality Control provides a unique distillation of such material, by providing a wealth of microbiological information not only on the practical issues facing the company microbiologist today, but also the underlying principles of microbiological quality assurance. All the chapters have been written by leading experts in this field. The Handbook of Microbiological Quality Control provides guidance on safe microbiological practices, including laboratory design and sampling techniques. The design storage, use and quality control of microbiological culture is considered in depth. Principles of enumeration and identification of micro-organisms, using both traditional and rapid methods as well as the pharmacopoeial methods for the detection of specified organisms, are elaborated in detail. Guidance is given on laboratory methods supporting the sterility assurance system: sterility testing, bioburden testing, the use of biological indicators and environmental monitoring methods, as well as methods for detecting and quantifying endotoxins. Pharmacopoeial methods for microbiological assay and preservative efficacy testing are reviewed. Problems for those involved in disinfection and cleansing techniques and microbiological audit are discussed from a practical viewpoint. Finally, a number of pertinent case studies and worked examples illustrate problems highlighted in the text. The Handbook of Microbiological Quality Control is the essential reference source for the professional microbiologist.

This text is an essential study guide for undergraduates studying microbiology modules on degree courses in pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences. Written by two pharmacists each with over 30 years experience of teaching, research and publishing in pharmaceutical microbiology, it distills the subject down into the essential elements that pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists need to know in order to practice their profession, and it covers all the microbiology components of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's indicative syllabus that is at the heart of every UK pharmacy degree.

Much of the applied microbiology that a pharmacist or pharmaceutical scientist needs to know is unique: topics like the manufacture of microbiologically sterile medicines and their subsequent protection against microbial contamination and spoilage, the detection of hazardous microorganisms in medicines and antibiotics' manufacture and assay are all covered here. Essential Microbiology for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Students displays material in an easy to-digest format and concepts are explained using diagrams, tables and pictures wherever possible. The book contains an extensive self-assessment section that includes typical multiple choice, short answer and essay-style examination questions, and a companion website to further test your knowledge from a selection of questions along with further links to relevant sites.

Contents:
1. Safety in Microbiology Anthony Smith 2. Culture Media Roz Baird 3. Sampling Roz Baird 4. Enumeration of Micro-organisms Ronnie Millar 5. Identification of Micro-organisms Norman Hodges 6. Specified Organisms Norman Hodges 7. Rapid Methods Paul Newby 8. Sterility Assurance Andrew Bill 9. Endotoxin Testing Alan Baines 10. Preservative Efficacy Testing Norman Hodges and Geoff Hanlon 11. Microbiological Assay Colin Thompson 12. Disinfection and Cleansing Norman Hodges and Roz Baird 13. Microbiological Audit Martin Lush 14. Case Studies and Calculations