Abstract

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF BACTERIAL GROWTH OF IN -USE BABIES AND COSMETIC POWDER

Haneen I. Aiesh and Hadeel T. AL-Hadithi*

ABSTRACT

Baby and cosmetic powder are non -sterile objects that contain acceptable number of microorganisms apart from Staphylococci. Objectives: To assess bacterial contamination quantitatively and qualitatively of powder after disclosing sealed closures of containers and during use. Methodology: A total of 12 containers of baby (N=4) and cosmetic (N=2) powder, in duplicates were purchased from local Jordan pharmacies and distributed to female volunteers. Hygienic practices of participants while using baby and cosmetic powder were recorded. Powder samples were collected at three-time intervals, ten-fold serially diluted and cultured on plate count agar. Predominant types of recovered bacteria were identified to the species level by culturing on selective and differential media then confirmed by APIsystem. Results: Bacterial load of nine out of 12 talcum powder (75%): five baby powders (62.5%) and all cosmetic powder (100%) have exceeded acceptable limit. Bacterial genera recovered from contaminated baby and cosmetic powder were predominated by the two species of the spore forming Bacillus at the indicated frequencies: Bacillus cereus (48.3% Vs 40%) and Bacillus subtilis (12.9% VS 13.3%) followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (6.4% VS 13.3%) and S. aureus (6.4 %VS 6.6%) respectively; in addition to the Gram-negative Enterobacter and Serratia. Conclusion: Recovery of Staphylococci, although at minimal, from either baby or cosmetic powder is not acceptable. It is necessary to increase the awareness during use, close the container tightly and hands should be clean and dry to save the dryness of the powder.

Keywords: Bacterial Growth, In -Use Babies Powder, In -Use Cosmetic Powder, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Serratia.