Selected Bacteria of Industrial Importance
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Pseudomonas |
Pseudomonas are aerobic organisms. They
are Gram negative rods. They are usually
infectors of wounds and burns. They also
cause pneumonia in patients on
immunosuppressive drugs. In cosmetics,
the organism have been implicated in eye
infections and loss of sight. A
contaminated water system in a
manufacturing plant has usually been
found as the source of the organism.
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Escherichia |
E.coli are aerobic Gram negative bacilli
and can cause gastroenteritis or urinary
tract infections. This organism can be
found in water systems that are older
or have corrosion in the pipes.
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Serratia |
Serratia has been found as a contaminant of
disinfectants and surfactants. In a
manufacturing plant, the source to
consider first is stagnant product in
the system.
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Enterobacter |
This organism is an aerobic Gram negative
rod. Generally they are not pathogenic
unless they are found in the blood stream.
They can be isolated from contaminated
surfactants and particularly
quaternary-containing conditioners. It
is a typical contaminant in households
and can grow in poorly preserved
products.
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Klebsiella |
The organism is a nonmotile aerobic Gram
negative rod, and is very widespread
in the environment. They are pathogenic
organisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae causes
severe pneumonia in people. Klebsiella
is found in household products and can
contaminate cosmetics during consumer
use.
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Proteus |
They are motile, aerobic Gram negative
rods and can cause urinary tract
infections. Its presence would indicate
either contamination of raw material
like surfactants or use of highly
contaminated water.
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Staphylococci |
These organisms are non motile Gram
positive cocci. Their presence in
cosmetics indicates human contamination.
S. aureus is a pathogenic organism .
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Streptococci |
Streptococci are Gram positive cocci. It
is very rarely found in cosmetic
products unless contamination is caused by a
contaminated hand due to lack of good
sanitary practices. They are pathogenic
organisms and cause a variety of
infections.
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Bacillus |
Bacillus are Gram positive rods and are
spore forming organism that continuously
disperse spores into water and plants.
In the cosmetic industry , some of the
more common raw materials to be
contaminated by Bacillus are aloe vera
and a variety of thixotrophic agents
such as quaternized clay. Except
Bacillus anthracis, the cause of
anthrax, very few species of bacillus
are pathogenic.
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Clostridia |
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Clostridium is an anaerobic gram positive
rod. They are usually pathogenic causing a
variety of infections like tetanus, gas,
gangrene, and food poisoning. |
