SSRP Abstract

Board 31: Cataloging of Environmental Isolates at Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Student Scientist: Maddy Russell ’23
Research Mentor: Timothy Mahnke (Hikma Pharmaceuticals)

Microbes exist in all environments that we work in and must be monitored for consumer safety. The microbiome of the Hikma Pharmaceutical facilities was analyzed by gathering samples with either surface contact agar plates or with air samples. The growth was transferred to test cards and allowed to grow for 24-48 hours. Growth was identified using a computer identification program and results were noted in a report.

The manufacturing and packaging environment in which various pharmaceutical products are produced is strictly controlled since it could have a direct impact on the final product and subsequently, for the consumer. Environmental monitoring of the manufacturing and packaging areas allows for a check that ensures that the areas are in a state of control and ultimately, the safety of the consumer using the product. Having a catalog of microorganisms will assist in determining normal microbiological flora in these areas. This will ultimately aid in a better control strategy for these environments. Through the course of the research, multiple samples were collected from several different areas across Hikma’s facilities. Samples were grown on either Dey-Engley neutralizing agar from a solid surface or grown on a Tryptic Soy agar plate using an air sampler. Once the isolates had grown, the microorganisms were subcultured using a sterile loop and streaked for isolation onto Tryptic Soy agar plates. These plates were incubated at 30-35ºC for 24-48 hours. After this, the isolates were transferred to test cards containing a variety of nutrients, antibiotics, and other compounds. These test cards were incubated at 30-35ºC for 24 hours. After incubation, the test cards were loaded into a computerized identification system, their data was input into the software, and an identification was generated. If no identification was generated, the plates were either allowed to incubate an additional 24 hours or tested again utilizing a different inoculating fluid medium. All identifications were recorded by area and a final report summarizing the findings of the facility microbiome was produced.