Microbial Purity and Ibuprofen Contents in Four Branded Ibuprofen Tablets Sold within Minna City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Ibuprofen tablets have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of substandard Ibuprofen tablets in the markets is worrisome. As a result of this, there is a need to have Ibuprofen tablets whose microbial purity and Ibuprofen contents meet the stated specifications. Objectives: To assess the microbial purity and Ibuprofen contents of four branded Ibuprofen tablets sold within Minna city, Nigeria. Methods: The assay of four branded Ibuprofen tablets was determined using UV spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods while the microbial load was determined using microbial purity test. Results: The assay values and percentages when the UV spectrophotometric method was used ranged between 397.05-412.64 mg while the titrimetric method ranged from 381.34-401.02 mg. Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were absent in all the selected Ibuprofen tablets while non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi recorded a value of less than 10 cfu/ml respectively. Conclusions: The four branded Ibuprofen tablets (400 mg) sold within Minna city, Nigeria differs in Ibuprofen contents and the microbial purity results were in conformity with the stated specifications.

Keywords: Microbial purity of drugs, Ibuprofen tablets, Ibuprofen in Minna city