Preservatives

Select an appropriate answer to fill in the blanks.

________ is an introduction of microorganisms into a product, which leads to product's ________.

• spoilage, contamination

• contamination, spoilage

• contamination, preservation

• spoilage, preservation

Select an appropriate answer to fill in the blank.

Solubility of a preservative in a pharmaceutical product ______ exceeds its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the product pH range.

• should

• should not

Which of the following is NOT a source of microbial contamination in an emulsion?

• Bench surfaces

• Poorly processed acacia powder

• Freshly prepared distilled water

• Cough droplets from the personnel

Which of the following classes of preservative is/are not suitable to be used with negatively charged excipients?

i. Biguanides

ii. Quaternary ammonium compounds

iii. Alcohols

iv. Organic acids

• i only

• i and ii only

• iii and iv only

• i, ii and iii only

Which of the following dosage forms may NOT NEED a preservative if intended for a longer duration of usage?

i. Cream

ii. Ointment

iii. A very concentrated syrup

iv. Antibiotic suspension

v. Glycerogelatin-based suppository

• i only

• ii and iii only

• i, ii and iii only

• ii, iii and iv only

Preservative(s) should be added into a pharmaceutical product to mask any deficiency in the manufacturing process.

• True

• False

Preservative Efficacy Test (PET) is important as a routine quality control check of pharmaceutical products.

• True

• False