Assay for polymyxin B
Transfer an accurately weighed quantity of Ointment,equivalent to about 10,000USP Polymyxin B Units,to a 15-mLcentrifuge tube,add 10mLof ether,stir,and centrifuge for 10minutes.Decant and discard the clear ether.Wash the residue with 10mLof ether,centrifuge for 10minutes,decanting and discarding the clear ether.Wash the residue with several 10-mLportions of acetone,centrifuging,decanting,and discarding each washing until the yellow color is removed from the residue.
[NOTETake care not to remove any of the residue with the washings.
]Add 0.2mLof polysorbate 80to the residue,and mix.Transfer the mixture to a 100-mLvolumetric flask with the aid of
Buffer No.6,dilute with the same solvent to volume,and mix.Proceed as directed for polymyxin Bunder
AntibioticsMicrobial Assays á81ñ,using an accurately measured volume of this solution diluted quantitatively with
Buffer No.6to yield a
Test Dilutionhaving a concentration of polymyxin Bassumed to be equal to the median dose level of the Standard.