Kill Study
Quality and safety of any category of product is becoming a primary concern especially during this pandemic. Let it be disinfectants, sanitizers, hand washes, surface sprays, vegetable washes; customers priority has been creating a huge demand for quality and safety of commodities they use.
In this scenario, time kill study plays a central role in determining the efficiency of a product. Time kill study is basically a microbiological method for assessing the antimicrobial activity of any disinfectant.
Significance of kill study
- Time kill study is also referred to as antimicrobial effectiveness test (AET) or suspension tests, time-kill kinetics assay, standard time kill method.
- This is a preferred method to assess the efficiency of antimicrobial agent.
- This study aims to assess the reduction of a microbial population of test organisms after exposure to a test material by in vitro method.
- Performing time kill study helps to understand the dynamic interactions between antimicrobial agent and the selected microbial strain.
- This method is rapid, reproducible and relatively cost effective to measure anti-microbial activity of any kind of dis infectant. Test variables like sampling time, test organism, temperature should be kept standardized while performing this method.
- The test parameters for standard time-kill tests are easy to control in the laboratory setting, so various products can be easily compared under same test conditions.
- The suspension-based time-kill test involves exposing microorganisms to excess product in a liquid setting, so the test is a fitting model system for instances in which antiseptics will be used in large volumes to kill microorganisms (such as with submersion of hands into an antiseptic bath or for extended exposure rinses).
- Through this method, we can even assess very brief contact times with less effort
- This suspension-based time kill study can also be performed as a part of stability studies
Time kill study is performed to assess a wide range of products including -
- Dis-infectants
- Germicides
- Antiseptics
- Sterilant
- Surfactants
- Surface sanitizer sprays
- Vegetable and fruit liquid washes
- Handwash
- Hand sanitizers
- Mouth wash
- Aerial sanitization and air pockets
The liquid suspension-based time-kill study has been regulated and standardized by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials method) International, as ASTM E2315 - "Standard Guide for Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity Using a Time-Kill Procedure."
ASTM E2315: Procedure at a glance
- A microbial culture is prepared. For most bacteria, a 24-hour culture in nutrient broth is suitable. For most fungi, a spore preparation from a saline wash of an agar plate or slant is reported to give better results.
- Equal volumes of the test product should be placed in suitable sterile test vessels
- A volume of microbial culture usually less than the product volume is kept in the test vessel and then blended immediately.
- After the predetermined contact time, mixture of bacteria and product are removed, chemically neutralized, and microorganisms are enumerated.
- To measure initial microbial concentrations, a saline control is spiked with the same microbial culture and then enumerated.
- Determining the no.of microorganisms in the reaction vessel by plotting a graph
- Calculation of microbial log reduction
Test organisms include -
- Escherichia coli
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Candida albicans
- Aspergillus niger
Eurofins advantage
- Eurofins offer personalized customer service, and provides information regarding samples up to date.
- A broad portfolio of analysis of raw materials and finished products
- Online access to your samples and the access to download results via the EOL platform (Eurofins OnLine)
- Expert advisers with in depth knowledge of the protocols, available at your service
- We provide Fast turn-around time (TAT) services to our clients
- Active participation in industry associations and regulatory bodies, and gathering early advice on potential food scares and legal obligations
- Reliable results
- International presence
Eurofins can help you in -
Brand Protection: we collaborate work to protect brand equity and customer loyalty by delivering healthy and safe food.
Consumer Safety: we protect customers from any contaminated, adulterated and unhealthy food.
Compliance with Standards: we make sure your products are in compliance with regional, national and international rules and regulations for food and food related products.
Ensure correct storage, shipping, packing and distribution: of commodities, raw materials and food products
