This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tsuji, K. Articles by Robertson, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Tsuji, K. Articles by Robertson, J. H. Agricola Articles by Tsuji, K. Articles by Robertson, J. H.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1973 January; 25(1): 139-145
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Microbial Toxicity of Isopropyl Myristate Used for Sterility Testing of Petrolatum-Based Ophthalmic Ointments

¹ Control Research and Development, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

ABSTRACT

The toxicity of isopropyl myristate (IPM) to microorganisms varies from lot to lot and between manufacturers. The toxicity is not directly proportional to the number and level of IPM homologues present nor to the small quantities of fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, or ketones found in both filter- and heat-sterilized IPM. The toxicity of IPM, both filter- and heat-sterilized, has no correlation with the usual physical and chemical characteristics of IPM but shows excellent correlation (correlation coefficient, r = 0.88) with the pH of a water extract of IPM. The toxic compounds can be removed and the toxicity of both filter- and heat-sterilized IPM can be reduced by basic alumina treatment. These findings may indicate that trace amounts of acidic catalysts remaining after production of IPM are responsible for the toxic effect.