Selection of Gamma Radiation Dose for Decontamination of Some Personal Care Products

IN THIS STUDY, the bacterial evaluation of 74 personal care ….products representing 16 brands revealed that 43 samples representing 10 brands were contaminated with bacteria. The isolated bacterial contaminants from the samples of each brand were prepared in mixed populations to determine the gamma irradiation lethal doses (kGy). The range of the lethal doses was found to be from 10 to 25 kGy. The radiation-resistant bacteria isolates from hair gel brands were Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus brevis and Micrococcus luteus. From hair cream brands, they were Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus mutans. While, from wet wipes brands they were Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus brevis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus mutans. The radiation-resistant bacteria were selected to study their response to gamma radiation and the D10 values were calculated from the dose response curves and they ranged from 0.65 to 2.2 kGy. The highest lethal doses were applied to the selected contaminated personal care products to ensure the success of the process of decontamination of the tested personal care products using gamma irradiation.