PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Jeanne E. Moldenhauer AU - Sheila A. Bass AU - Michael J. Kupinski AU - Mary L. Walters AU - Sandra L. Rubio TI - Microbial Barrier Assessment of Tyvek Stopper Packaging for Rubber Closures DP - 1996 Nov 01 TA - PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology PG - 391--398 VI - 50 IP - 6 4099 - http://journal.pda.org/content/50/6/391.short 4100 - http://journal.pda.org/content/50/6/391.full SO - PDA J Pharm Sci Technol1996 Nov 01; 50 AB - Two types of Tyvek and high density polyethylene or polypropylene packaging used for sterilization of rubber closures were evaluated for Microbial Barrier properties. The packaging evaluated was “Ready to Sterilize” (1) stoppers and a second test package (Test 2) which was designated as appropriate for a clean room, filled with washed and siliconized stoppers and then heat sealed. Each type of packaging was subjected to three different sterilization temperatures (125°C, 128°C and 131°C) in a production sterilizer (15–18 psi). Following sterilization, a microbial barrier assessment was performed, using Bacillus subtilis niger (ATCC 9372), to determine whether the packaging could maintain a sterile barrier following sterilization. Results of the testing indicated that a microbial barrier was maintained for products in “Ready to Sterilize” packages at 125°C and 128°C. For products sterilized in the Test 2 container a microbial barrier could not be maintained at 128°C, and no further testing was performed. Following sterilization at 131°C physical defects were noted for the “Ready to Sterilize” bag and a microbial barrier could not be maintained.