PREVALENCE OF MICRO ORGANISMS IN COMMONLY USED COSMETICS SAMPLES IN DHAKA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Author(s): Kamal Kanta Das, Kazi Kaniz Fatema, Ifra Tun Nur, Rashed Noor*

Present study attempted to identify and enumerate micro organisms spoiling commonly used cosmetics samples. Among 20 brands of total 6 categories of samples studied (soap, shampoo, lotion, face wash, cream and petroleum), almost all were found to be rigorously contaminated with total viable bacteria within a range of 103 – 105 cfu/g. Proliferation of fungal species was observed up to 103 cfu/g. Prevalence of Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. was observed within a range of 101 -103 cfu/g while actinomycetes were completely absent. Among the enteric bacteria, Escherichia coli was found completely absent from all the samples tested, however, the prevalence of Klebsiella sp. was noted up to 101 cfu/g. Such findings highlighted a great public health risk associated with skin diseases among the users and thereby specified the importance to introduce a proper guideline in maintaining good microbiological quality for such topically used healthcare products. Keywords: Cosmetics; topical products; microbiological quality