SCC Ontario Chapter Lunch Meeting

Abstract:  

Microbial contamination poses a significant risk to the safety and quality of cosmetic products. Rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms is crucial for ensuring product integrity. Among various identification methods, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) has emerged as a highly efficient tool. DECIEM Inc. has integrated this advanced technology into its quality assurance processes to enhance microbial identification.  

This study evaluated the instrument’s efficiency in identifying microorganisms in cosmetic workflows. Results demonstrated that MALDI-TOF successfully identified 98% of isolated  organisms to the species level with high accuracy. Its rapid and reliable performance has significantly reduced product release timelines, supporting the delivery of safe and compliant products to the market. Furthermore, this technology facilitated the creation of a comprehensive environmental isolate database for the production facility, enabling a deeper understanding of objectionable and non-objectionable organisms in the manufacturing  environment.  Overall, the integration of MALDI-TOF has proven instrumental in strengthening microbial  quality control and maintaining the safety standards of cosmetic products.  

 

Biography:  

Dr. Jatinder Kaur is a distinguished Microbiologist and Academic with over 14 years of expertise in industrial microbiology, food safety, and pharmaceutical compliance. She currently serves as the Head of Microbiology at Deciem Inc. in Toronto, where she ensures product quality and safety while overseeing a controlled environment within the production facility.  

Dr. Kaur holds a PhD in Microbiology with a minor in Biochemistry. Her diverse research portfolio includes successful projects in fungal biotechnology—specifically specializing in strain improvement through mutagenesis and cross-breeding—and environmental sustainability through soil enhancement using biological sludges and spentwash.  

A prolific researcher, Dr. Kaur has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in prestigious publications, including the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Her career is defined by extensive experience in GMP compliance, Quality Control, and laboratory supervision within the pharmaceutical and food sectors, having held key roles at Catalent Pharma Solutions and Maple Leaf Foods.