ABSTRACT

Isolation, Characterization and Identification of microorganisms from five expired liquid oral drugs (syrups) namely KP-Multivitarnin, Vitamin B-Complex, Ventolin, Colipan and Revitone syrups obtained from different medical stores were investigated. The organisms were identified using a combination of microscopy and biochemical tests. For each drug the procedure was repeated. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts were 2.lx i05, 1.8 x l0,1.5 x i0, 2.4 x105, 2.6 x10 Cfulml while fungi count were 6.0 x iO4 5.6 x iO4, 3.0 x104 ,6.6 x104, 7.4x104Cfu/ml for KP-Multivitamin, Vitamin B-Complex, Ventolin, Colipan and Revitone respectively. The organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia co/i , Micrococcus spp, Klebsiella spp, Penici/lium spp, Aspergillus spp and Rhizopus spp. The frequency of occurance of each organisms was determine and found to be Staphylococcus aureus 38.10% (16), Escherichia co/i 30.95% (13), klebsiela spp 14.% (6) lMicrococcus spp 16.67% (7)The fungal genera are pencillum spp.60% (15) Rhzopus spp 24%.(6) and Aspergillums spp 16.33%. The presence of these pathogenic isolates are indicative of possible problems that can be associated with the consumption of any of these expired products and hence should be avoided.