TY - JOUR T1 - Microbial Retention Characteristics of 0.2-µm-rated Nylon Membrane Filters during Filtration of High Viscosity Fluids at High Differential Pressure and Varied Temperatures JF - PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology JO - PDA J Pharm Sci Technol SP - 67 LP - 70 VL - 49 IS - 2 AU - H. Aranha AU - J. Meeker Y1 - 1995/03/01 UR - http://journal.pda.org/content/49/2/67.abstract N2 - Regulatory guidelines for aseptic manufacture of pharmaceuticals recommend validation of sterilizing filters by bacterial challenge under “worst case” conditions. The microbial retention characteristics of a sterilizing grade, 0.2-µm-rated Nylon 66 membrane filter were evaluated for filtration of high viscosity fluids. Glycerol (80%) was used as the carrier fluid and Pseudomonas diminuta ATCC 19146 as the challenge organism. Testing was carried out at a constant differential pressure of 60 psig over a six-hour test period. Test runs were undertaken at three different temperature conditions (25 ± 5°C, 42 ± 1°C, and 50 ± 1°C). Under the test conditions, the Nylon 66 membranes provided total retention of P. diminuta. The results demonstrated that a high pressure differential challenge using a high viscosity fluid over a six-hour test period at ambient and elevated temperatures did not alter the retention characteristics of the membrane filter. ER -