Bacteriological analysis of the sanitary pads available in the local markets of Surat, Gujarat, India
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Bacteriological analysis of the sanitary pads available in the local markets of Surat, Gujarat, India
Ishita Desai1, Avani Shah2, Neha Gupta3
1,2,3 Department of Microbiology, Vanita Vishram Women’s University, Surat, Gujarat, India
Dr. Avani Shah4, Assistant Professor,
4 Department of Microbiology, Vanita Vishram Women's University, Surat, Email ID: avanishah08@gmail.com
Abstract - Sanitary pads are widely used menstrual hygiene products that come into direct contact with the skin and mucosal surfaces for extended periods, making their microbial safety a critical public health concern. This study focuses on the bacteriological analysis of commercially available sanitary pads to assess their bacterial contamination levels and ensure user safety. Samples from various brands, including those sold as loose pickings, were subjected to standard bacteriological procedures, including the isolation and identification of probable contaminants, as well as the determination of antibiotic resistance in the isolates. The results indicated that Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus spp. were the probable bacterial isolated from different sanitary pads. The probable isolates exhibited antibiotic resistance; 3 strains of S. aureus were found to be resistant to tetracycline, penicillin and combine resistant to penicillin and streptomycin, 2 strains of E.coli one resistant to ampicillin another resistant to both tetracycline and chloramphenicol, Enterobacter spp. strain was found resistant to both tetracycline and Penicillin G, while one strain each of B. cereus and Klebsiella spp. were resistant to ampicillin. The present study provides insight into which types of sanitary pads should be purchased, as well as recommendations for their storage at home. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates in sanitary pads raises concerns about their prolonged use.
Keywords: Sanitary pads, bacterial contaminants, antibiotic resistant isolates, menstruation, microbial quality control, sterility
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