Efficacy testing of biocidal products
Biocide product efficacy tests are, as the name suggests, those that characterize how effective are those treatments or compounds that are applied or added to materials to protect them from biological agents such as bacteria and fungi bacteria and fungi.
These types of products are particularly relevant in industries such as the automotive industry, where parts such as the dashboard will be exposed to these organisms in a poorly ventilated environment. They are also important in professional activities such as veterinary medicine or in sectors such as the food industry, where food handling can be constant and an environment that avoids the proliferation of pathogens is required.
In Infinitia Industrial Consulting we perform biocide efficacy tests complying with all the standards required for these practices. Our professionals will characterize the samples accurately and through tests that can be adapted to the needs of each case.
What are biocidal products
According to the definition provided by the Ministry of Health, biocides are products containing one or more substances intended to neutralize, repel or destroy harmful organisms.
This category would include, for example, viruses, bacteria and fungi, but may also include animals such as bivalves, rodents or insects and plants such as algae, depending on factors such as activity or possible effects on humans and the environment.
Thus, this definition of biocide includes products such as repellents and insecticides, but also those that are added to materials such as plastics to protect them against these biological agents. This is the case, for example, of textiles that incorporate antibacterial substances to prevent unpleasant odors.
In addition, a biocide can be an applied treatment that eliminates harmful organisms. This is the case of ultraviolet light which, thanks to its ionizing capacity, is effective in killing pathogens such as legionella bacteria or certain viruses.
The same is true of ozone, a gas that has shown efficacy against fungi, viruses and bacteria in aquatic and air environments, in addition to eliminating bad odors and leaving no residue after application.
Tests that can be applied to biocides
Since there is no single type of biocide, there is no single test to determine the efficacy of these products. These tests will be chosen depending on the type of biocide, the environment and the application.
In this way, tests can be found dedicated to the efficacy of repellents and insecticides, for example, but there are also tests focused on testing this parameter in treated products such as fabrics or plastics.
Some of the tests that can be found in the first field are knock-down and mortality, which will pay attention to doses and times to death. It also includes other tests such as ovicidal and larvicidal ability, i.e. to kill larvae and eggs.
For those products or parts that have been treated with a biocide to prevent biological agents from lodging, tests can also be applied. These are, for example, components that tend to be in constant manipulation, such as buttons. In these cases, the test will measure the effectiveness of the biocide added to the final product in its pure state.
If you need to characterize biocides, Infinitia’s advanced laboratory equipment has the necessary tools to perform accurate efficacy tests of these products. Our technicians will give you the most accurate results for each case.