STABILITY OF CEFUROXIME FOLLOWING GAMMA-IRRADIATION IN THE SOLID-STATE

The effect of gamma-irradiation on cefuroxime, a member of the second generation of cephalosporins, has been assessed by different spectrosc opic, HPLC, chemical and microbiological analytical methods. According to the results obtained, the chemical changes in irradiated cefuroxim e have relatively low yield. The microbiological assay carried out usi ng B. subtilis test strain reveal that the activity of irradiated cefu roxime did not decrease even for radiation doses as high as 85 kGy. Th e remarkable radiation stability of cefuroxime irradiated in the solid state supports its suitability for radiation sterilization.