Standard Test Method for Determining Bacterial Retention of Membrane Filters Utilized for Liquid Filtration

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Since all sterilizing filtration processes are performed under positive pressure, this test method is designed to assess the retentivity of a sterilizing filter under process conditions.  
5.1.1 A challenge of 107 bacteria per cm2 of effective filtration area is orders of magnitude higher than one would expect to encounter in a sterilizing filtration process. This level was selected in order to provide a high degree of assurance that the filter would quantitatively retain large numbers of organisms. This concept is important, in view of the requirement to provide a quantitative assessment in validating a sterilization process.  
5.1.2 The analytical procedure utilized in this test method provides a method to assign a numerical value to the filtration efficiency of the filter being evaluated. This value, coupled with a knowledge of the number and types of organisms (bioburden) indigenous to the process, may then be utilized to determine the probability of obtaining a sterile filtrate. Conversely, the numerical value of the filtration efficiency may be used when one must meet a specified probability of sterility assurance to calculate the volume of fluid that may be filtered in order to maintain that level of assurance.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the bacterial retention characteristics of membrane filters for liquid filtration using Pseudomonas diminuta as the challenge organism. This test method may be employed to evaluate any membrane filter system used for liquid sterilization.  
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Publication Date
31-May-2013
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ASTM F838-05(2013) - Standard Test Method for Determining Bacterial Retention of Membrane Filters Utilized for Liquid Filtration
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F838 − 05(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Bacterial Retention of Membrane Filters
1
Utilized for Liquid Filtration
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF838;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope filer disc which is subsequently incubated on a solidified
growth medium. Organisms that are not retained by the filter
1.1 This test method determines the bacterial retention
being tested will develop into visible colonies on the analysis
characteristics of membrane filters for liquid filtration using
membrane and can then be enumerated.
Pseudomonas diminuta as the challenge organism. This test
method may be employed to evaluate any membrane filter
5. Significance and Use
system used for liquid sterilization.
5.1 Since all sterilizing filtration processes are performed
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
under positive pressure, this test method is designed to assess
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
the retentivity of a sterilizing filter under process conditions.
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its 7 2
5.1.1 A challenge of 10 bacteria per cm of effective
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
filtration area is orders of magnitude higher than one would
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
expecttoencounterinasterilizingfiltrationprocess.Thislevel
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
wasselectedinordertoprovideahighdegreeofassurancethat
the filter would quantitatively retain large numbers of organ-
2. Referenced Documents
isms. This concept is important, in view of the requirement to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
provide a quantitative assessment in validating a sterilization
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
process.
5.1.2 The analytical procedure utilized in this test method
3. Terminology
provides a method to assign a numerical value to the filtration
3.1 Definitions:
efficiency of the filter being evaluated. This value, coupled
3.1.1 log reduction value—the logarithm to the base 10 of
with a knowledge of the number and types of organisms
the ratio of the number of microorganisms in the challenge to
(bioburden) indigenous to the process, may then be utilized to
the number of organisms in the filtrate.
determine the probability of obtaining a sterile filtrate.
Conversely,thenumericalvalueofthefiltrationefficiencymay
4. Summary of Test Method
be used when one must meet a specified probability of sterility
4.1 After sterilization, the test filter is challenged with a
assurance to calculate the volume of fluid that may be filtered
3
suspension of Pseudomonas diminuta (ATCC 19146) at a
in order to maintain that level of assurance.
7 2
concentration of 10 organisms per cm of effective filtration
6. Apparatus
area (EFA) at a maximum differential pressure across the test
filterof30psig(206kPa)andaflowrateof0.5to1.0GPMper
6.1 Assemble the apparatus described below as in Fig. 1:
2 -3 2
ft of effective filtration area (2 to4×10 LPM per cm ).The
6.1.1 Stainless Steel Pressure Vessel, 12-L capacity (or
entire filtrate is then filtered through an analytical membrane
larger), fitted witha0to 50-psi (0 to 350-kPa) pressure gage.
6.1.2 Air Regulator.
6.1.3 142-mm Disc Filter Assemblies, two or more, with
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E55 on
hose connections.
ManufactureofPharmaceuticalProductsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcom-
mittee E55.03 on General Pharmaceutical Standards.
6.1.4 Diaphragm-Protected 0 to 50-psi Pressure Gage (0 to
Current edition approved June 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
350-kPa), for upstream pressure reading. A second equivalent
approved in 1983. Last previous edition published in 2005 as F838–05. DOI:
gauge for downstream pressure reading is optional.
10.1520/F0838-05R13.
2
6.1.5 Manifold,withvalves(autoclavable)andhoseconnec-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
tions.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.1.6 Autoclavable Tubing, (must be able to withstand a
the ASTM website.
3
pressure of 50 psi (350 kPa)).
Available from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University
Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110, http://www.atcc.org. 6.1.7 Filter Housing, with hose connections.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F838 − 05 (2013
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