Abstract
Burow's solution, an aluminum acetate solution used in hospitals, exhibits excellent antibacterial activity against various microorganisms that are commonly observed in chronic supprative otitis media, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, its method of preparation and formula vary among countries.
In this study, the prescription for Burow's solution in Japan was compared with those in BP and USP. In BP and USP, Al (OH) (CH3CO2) 2 is prepared by mixing aluminum sulfate, acetic acid and calcium carbonate at a molar ratio of 1 : 4 : 3, and in the preparation procedure in USP, more acetic acid is added at the time of use to produce Al (CH3CO2) 3. In Japan, the method in the Teine-Keijin Hospital manual is commonly used, and the above 3 ingredients are mixed at a molar ratio of approximately 1 : 2 : 1.5. The discrepancy in the mixing ratio arises from the difference in the aluminum sulfate used. The aluminum sulfate stipulated in BP and USP is a hydrous compound containing 51.0-59.0% anhydrous aluminum sulfate, whereas the ingredient used in the Teine-Keijin Hospital manual consists only of anhydrous aluminum sulfate. In the latter case, the use of anhydrous aluminum sulfate results in very low dissolution rate (>24 hr for 1 L preparation), and the amount of acetic acid to produce Al (OH) (CH3CO2) 2 is lacking.
In conclusion, the use the hydrous aluminum sulfate stipulated in BP and USP (formula : Al2 (SO4) 3·14-18 H2O) instead of anhydrous aluminum sulfate would enable a highly stable Burow's solution to be prepared easily.
