Spoilage microbial interactions

Oral liquid and semisolid formulations containing water as part of the vehicle may be prone to microbial spoilage in the absence of a preservative. In the case of pharmaceutical creams, these are usually oil-in-water emulsions stabilized using a surfactant. Phenolic preservatives, e.g., parabens esters, are inactivated in the presence of nonionic surfactants, and this detrimental interaction can have serious consequences for preservation of the product (20). 

Product quality can be compromised during manufacture, transport, storage or use. The causes of deterioration can be manifold and product-specific. They include microbial spoilage or chemical transformation of the active or physical changes that alter performance in vivo. Deterioration can compromise safety or make the medication less attractive, which means it may not be used. Excipients can contribute to or cause such changes unless carefully screened for possible interactions in preformulation studies. 

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