Aleba & Co. Interview Questions and Answers

There are two types of sterilization techniques: dry heat and moist heat. Dry heat uses high temperatures while moist heat uses steam.

• Dry heat sterilization uses high temperatures ranging from 160-180°C for 2-4 hours.

• Moist heat sterilization uses steam at a temperature of 121°C for 15-20 minutes.

• Dry heat sterilization is suitable for materials that can withstand high temperatures such as glassware, metal instruments, and powders.

• Moist heat sterilization is suitable for materi...read more

Bacterial endotoxin test is a test used to detect the presence of endotoxins in pharmaceutical products.

• It is a test used to ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products.

• It detects the presence of endotoxins, which are harmful substances produced by certain bacteria.

• The test is performed using a sample of the product and a reagent that reacts with endotoxins.

• The result is measured using a spectrophotometer or other analytical instrument.

• The test is required by regulatory agen...read more

Equipment used in microbiology lab and their uses

• Microscope - to observe microorganisms

• Incubator - to grow and maintain cultures at a specific temperature

• Autoclave - to sterilize equipment and media

• Bunsen burner - to sterilize inoculating loops and needles

• Laminar flow hood - to maintain a sterile environment for handling samples

• pH meter - to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

• Colony counter - to count and record bacterial colonies on agar plates

• Spectrophotometer -...read more

Culture media preparation involves sterilization, mixing of ingredients, and pH adjustment.

• Sterilize all equipment and ingredients before use

• Mix ingredients according to recipe or manufacturer instructions

• Adjust pH as necessary using acid or base solutions

• Autoclave or sterilize the final product before use

• Examples of culture media include nutrient agar, blood agar, and MacConkey agar

Gram staining is a laboratory technique used to differentiate bacterial species into two groups based on their cell wall composition.

• Developed by Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram in 1884

• Involves staining bacterial cells with crystal violet and iodine, then washing with alcohol and counterstaining with safranin

• Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain and appear purple under a microscope, while gram-negative bacteria lose the stain and appear pink or red

• U...read more