Application of fluorescent green protein, GFPuv, as a biologic indicator in the validation of autoclaving of parenteral solutions and ethylene oxide sterilization of thermolabile items. comparison with Bacillus subtilis spores

Author(s)

Marina Ishii

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2006-10-04

Examining board members

Thereza Christina Vessoni Penna; Pedro de Alcântara Pessoa Filho; Inês Conceição Roberto; Maria Elena Santos Taqueda; Leoberto Costa Tavares

• Advisor: Thereza Christina Vessoni Penna

Abstract

The recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein, GFPuv is an attractive system marker due to its ability to emit fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light, without use of substrates or complex environment. Being a stable molecule even in the presence of organic substances, temperatures above 70°C and wide range of pH, it is a potential Biological Indicator, BI, for many applications, including thermal processes. GFPuv thermal stability was evaluated by the loss of fluorescence intensity expressed in decimal reduction time (D-value, min), the exposure time required to reduce 90% of the GFPuv initial fluorescence intensity. GFPuv (3.5-9.0 µg/mL), expressed by E. coli and isolated by Three Phases Partitioning, TPP extraction with Hidrophobic Interaction Chromatography, HIC, was diluted in buffered solutions (each 10 mM: Tris-EDTA, pH 8; phosphate, pH 6 and 7, and acetate, pH 5) and in water for injection, WFI; pH = 6.70 (± 0.40), and exposed to temperatures of 25°C and between 80°C and 95°C. At 95°C, the D-value for GFPuv in 1.5%-50% glucose, ranged from: (i) 1.63 ± 0.23 min in acetate pH 5; (ii) 2.64 ± 0.26 min in WFI; (iii) 2.50 ± 0.18 min in phosphate, pH 6; (iv) 3.24 ± 0.28 min in phosphate, pH 7, (v) 2.89 ± 0.44 min in Tris-EDTA, pH 8. Sodium cloride provided a positive influence over GFPuv stability. In Tris-EDTA solutions, the addition of 15% and 20% of NaCl doubled the thermal stability of GFPuv (D = 65.79 min and D = 18.12 min at 80°C, and 85°C, respectively, in relation to the solutions without NaCl. For ethylene oxide sterilization processes (45°C-60°C), GFPuv can be used as biological indicator to monitor gas distribution into the chamber. After processing, the protein concentration varied by 80%, showing distinct areas into the chamber. In autoclave, GFPuv in solution showed thermal resistance in phosphate pH 7.0 solution (F-value = 2.53 (± 0.12) min. When expressed by Bacillus subtilis spores, the fluorescence intensity was kept constant after thermal processing. The thermal stability of GFPuv provides the basis for its potential utility as a fluorescent biological indicator to assess the efficacy of the treatment of liquids and materials exposed to steam. (AU)