Home >> ISO 21149
ISO 21149:2017 – Detection of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in cosmetic products
ISO 21149 standard is used for enumerating and detecting the presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in cosmetic products. Bacterial detection is done using either an agar medium or an enrichment broth. ISO 21149 standard also outlines appropriate identification tests for the microorganisms detected.
Microbiological analysis is conducted on cosmetic products to determine the potential risk of contamination by aerobic mesophilic bacteria. All cosmetic products except for some water-immiscible products are applicable for ISO 21149 testing.
ISO 21149 Test Method
1g or 1 ml of cosmetic test sample is added to the enrichment broth to prepare the initial suspension.
Plate Method:
- A specified culture medium is used to prepare either pour plates or spread plates.
- The spread plates are inoculated with a defined quantity of the initial suspension.
- The inoculated plates are aerobically incubated at 32.5°C ± 2.5°C for 72 ± 6 hours.
- The number of colony-forming units (CFU) is counted and the number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria per milliliter or per gram of the cosmetic product is calculated.
Membrane filtration:
- An appropriate amount of sample is filtered and washed in a filtration apparatus containing a small amount of suitable sterile diluent.
- The membrane filter used for the filtration is placed on the surface of the agar medium.
- The agar medium with the membranes is aerobically incubated at 32.5°C ± 2.5°C for 72 ± 6 hours.
- The number of colony-forming units (CFU) is counted and the number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria per milliliter or per gram of the cosmetic product is calculated.
Detection of bacteria by enrichment broth:
- A non-selective liquid medium containing appropriate neutralizers and/or dispersing agents is inoculated with a defined quantity of the initial suspension and incubated at 32.5°C ± 2.5°C for at least 20 hours.
- After incubation, a defined quantity of the inoculated liquid medium is transferred to a non-selective agar medium.
- Aerobic incubation at 32.5°C ± 2.5°C for 48 to 72 hours.
- The growth is detected and expressed as the “presence/absence” of aerobic mesophilic bacteria per sample of the cosmetic product.
Importance of ISO 21149 Test
The aerobic mesophilic bacterial group includes bacterial species capable of growing in the presence of oxygen and at temperatures between 20°C and 45°C. These microorganisms can be present in cosmetic products as a result of unhygienic manufacturing processes or contaminated raw materials. A high count of these microbes in cosmetic products is undesirable as it could cause various health problems for consumers. Thus, it is essential to carry out ISO 21149 testing on cosmetic products to ensure good product quality and the well-being of consumers.
At Microbe Investigations, our team of experienced testing specialists is dedicated to providing excellent services with our cutting-edge technology and well-equipped laboratory.
Our scientists are also available to discuss the ISO 21150 test involving the detection and identification of Escherichia coli in cosmetic products.
To initiate a test request or obtain further details regarding ISO 21149 testing or any other microbial testing services, please contact us here.
FAQs
ISO 21149 test outlines a method for enumerating and detecting mesophilic aerobic bacteria present in cosmetic products by counting colonies on a non-selective agar medium or by checking the “presence or absence” of bacterial growth after enrichment.
ISO 22149 test applies to cosmetic and beauty products with a higher potential risk of mesophilic aerobic bacterial contamination.
The ISO 21149 test takes 4 weeks to complete.
At Microbe Investigations, we test for ISO 21149 using the following bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). Additional strains can be added on customer request.
Contact us for more information
Explore Other Tests
ASTME2149 | AATCC-100 | JISZ2801 | JISL1902 | EN 1276 | ISO 22196 | ISO 20743 | ISO 846 | ASTM E2180 | AATCC 147 | ASTM D7907-14 | ASTM E3031 | ASTM G29 | EN 16615 | EN 13697 | PAS 2424 | EN 1040 | EN 14349 | EN 13727 | EN 14561 | ASTM G22 | ASTM E1153 | ASTM D2574 | AATCC 174 | EN 14563 | EN 13704 | EN 1499 | EN 1500 | EN 14347 | EN 14348 | EN 1656 | EN 16437 | EN 12791 | ASTM E1174 | ASTM E2362
AATCC 30 | ASTM G21 | EN 1650 | EN 1657 | EN 13624 | EN 1275 | ASTM C1338 | ASTM D5590
