BACTERIOLOGY & FUNGAL TESTING LAB
Virologica is a leading bacterial testing lab and fungal testing lab in the UK, providing comprehensive bacteriology testing services to medical, industrial, and research sectors.
Our experienced microbiologists at Virologica's bacteriology testing lab offer a wide range of standard test methods and customised assays. As a trusted bacterial testing lab, we specialise in antimicrobial efficacy testing, biofilm analysis, and minimum inhibitory concentration testing. Our bacteriology testing services include:
+ EN 13727
CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS. QUANTITATIVE SUSPENSION TEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY IN THE MEDICAL AREA
The EN 13727 test is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test conducted in our bacteriology testing lab to evaluate the bactericidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the medical area under the conditions in which they are used. The test product is added to a test suspension of bacteria in a solution of an interfering substance. The mixture is maintained at a specified temperature for a specified contact time. The bactericidal action is immediately suppressed, the remaining viable bacteria are quantified, and reductions are calculated.
Contact us for EN 13727 medical disinfectant testing and regulatory compliance support.
+ EN 13697
CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS. QUANTITATIVE NON-POROUS SURFACE TEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF BACTERICIDAL AND/OR FUNGICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS USED IN FOOD, INDUSTRIAL, DOMESTIC AND INSTITUTIONAL AREAS
The EN 13697 test is performed in our bacteriology testing lab and fungal testing lab as a phase 2 step 2 surface disinfection test to evaluate the bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas under the conditions in which they are used. A test suspension of bacteria or fungi in a solution of interfering substances is inoculated onto a test stainless steel disc and dried. The test product is applied in a manner which covers the dried film. The surface is maintained at a specified temperature for a specified contact time. The bactericidal/fungicidal action is immediately suppressed, the remaining viable bacteria/fungi are quantified, and reductions are calculated.
Contact us for EN 13697 bactericidal and fungicidal evaluation.
+ ASTM E2197
STANDARD QUANTITATIVE DISK CARRIER TEST METHOD FOR DETERMINING BACTERICIDAL, VIRUCIDAL, FUNGICIDAL, MYCOBACTERICIDAL AND SPORICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF CHEMICALS
ASTM E2197 is a surface disinfection test performed in our bacteria testing lab and fungal testing lab to evaluate the mycobactericidal and sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants on nonporous surfaces. To test for bactericidal activity, a test suspension of bacteria, including an interfering substance, is inoculated onto the centre of a stainless steel disc and dried under vacuum. Once dry, individual discs are placed at the bottom of a sterile vessel for testing. The test product is applied directly to the centre of the disc and held for a specified contact time. After the contact time, the bactericidal action is immediately suppressed, and the remaining viable bacteria are quantified. Reductions are calculated from differences in log bacteria before and after treatment with the test product.
Get comprehensive disinfectant testing with ASTM E2197 - contact our lab today.
+ AATCC TM100
ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBACTERIAL FINISHES ON TEXTILE MATERIALS
The AATCC 100 test method is performed in our bacteria testing lab to determine the bactericidal activity of fabrics and textiles over a 24-hour contact time. A test suspension of bacteria is inoculated onto control and test fabric swatches. Bacteria are immediately recovered from control and test samples to determine initial recovery concentrations. After the 24-hour contact period, the remaining viable bacteria are quantified and reductions are calculated relative to the initial concentration and to the control fabric.
Contact us for AATCC 100 fabric testing services.
+ Log reduction assays
Log reduction assays conducted in our bacteriology testing lab can be used to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness of wound dressings and antimicrobial-impregnated medical devices. Test methods are designed to include a control test sample so that log reductions for the active test sample can be calculated in comparison to the control.
Get custom log reduction testing for your medical devices - contact us today.
+ EN 1276
CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS. QUANTITATIVE SUSPENSION TEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS USED IN FOOD, INDUSTRIAL, DOMESTIC AND INSTITUTIONAL AREAS
Our bacteria testing lab performs the EN 1276 test, a phase 2 step 1 suspension test to evaluate the bactericidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas under the conditions in which they are used. The test product is added to a test suspension of bacteria in a solution of an interfering substance. The mixture is maintained at a specified temperature for a specified contact time. The bactericidal action is immediately suppressed, the remaining viable bacteria are quantified, and reductions are calculated.
Get your food and industrial disinfectants tested with EN 1276 - contact our lab today.
+ EN 14561
CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS AND ANTISEPTICS. QUANTITATIVE CARRIER TEST FOR THE EVALUATION OF BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY FOR INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MEDICAL AREA
Our bacteriology testing services include the EN 14561 test, a phase 2 step 2 surface disinfection test to evaluate the bactericidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the medical area under the conditions in which they are used. A test suspension of bacteria in a solution of interfering substances is spread onto a glass slide and dried. After drying, the glass slide is immersed in a sample of test product and maintained at a specified temperature for a specified contact time. The bactericidal action is immediately suppressed by submerging the glass slide into the neutraliser, and the remaining viable bacteria are quantified, and reductions are calculated.
Contact our bacteriology lab for EN 14561 medical instrument disinfectant testing.
+ ASTM D7907
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BACTERICIDAL EFFICACY ON THE SURFACE OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION GLOVES
The ASTM D7907 test is conducted in our bacteriology testing lab to determine the bactericidal activity of medical gloves. A test suspension of bacteria, including an interfering substance if requested, is inoculated onto a sample of the test glove and held in place by a coverslip. The glove is maintained for a specified contact time, following which the test glove and coverslip are transferred to the neutraliser to suppress bactericidal action. The remaining viable bacteria are quantified and reductions calculated.
Contact us for ASTM D7907 antimicrobial glove testing and efficacy evaluation.
+ Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Testing (MIC Testing)
Our bacteriology testing services include minimum inhibitory concentration tests (minimal inhibitory concentration tests) to determine the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that inhibits bacterial growth. These minimum inhibitory concentration tests are essential for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and drug development, conducted by our expert microbiologists using standardised protocols.
Contact our microbiologists for MIC testing and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis.
We also offer efficacy testing on biofilms such as:
+ ASTM 2799
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR TESTING DISINFECTANT EFFICACY AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BIOFILM USING THE MBEC ASSAY
ASTM E2799 (ASTM 2799) is a biofilm testing method performed in our bacteriology testing lab to evaluate biofilm susceptibility to disinfectants. The assay device consists of a plastic lid with 96 pegs and a corresponding receiver plate with 96 individual wells. Biofilm is established on the pegs and then transferred into a new receiver plate containing the test disinfectant. Following the desired contact time, the disinfectant is immediately neutralised, and the remaining viable bacteria are quantified. Efficacy is reported as the log reduction of viable bacteria. The 96-well plate design allows for multiple disinfectants and/or multiple concentrations to be tested simultaneously, making it an efficient screening tool. Although the test method defines the parameters for growing a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, it can be used to grow other species of biofilm.
Contact us for ASTM E2799 biofilm testing and disinfectant efficacy evaluation.
+ ASTM E2562
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR QUANTIFICATION OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BIOFILM GROWN WITH HIGH SHEAR AND CONTINUOUS FLOW USING CDC BIOFILM REACTOR
ASTM E2562 defines the parameters for growing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm under high shear in a CDC Biofilm Reactor, conducted in our specialised bacteria testing lab. The biofilm generated in the reactor is suitable for efficacy testing, allowing for treatment in situ or removal of test coupons for individual treatment.
Contact our lab for ASTM E2562 CDC reactor testing.
This is not an exhaustive list, if the method you’re looking for isn’t listed, contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Choosing the Right Bacteriology Test for Your Product or Industry
Selecting the appropriate bacteriology test method depends on your specific product type, industry requirements, and regulatory standards. Different test methods are designed for different applications, sample types, and contact scenarios to ensure accurate and relevant results for your antimicrobial efficacy assessment.
Understanding which test method aligns with your product's intended use is crucial for regulatory compliance, product development, and quality assurance. Our experienced microbiologists can guide you through the selection process to ensure you choose the most appropriate testing protocol for your specific requirements.
Test Method Selection Guide
| Test Method | Suitable Sample Types | Primary Application | Contact Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 13727 | Liquid disinfectants, antiseptics | Medical area disinfectants | Suspension test |
| EN 1276 | Liquid disinfectants, antiseptics | Food, industrial, domestic disinfectants | Suspension test |
| EN 13697 | Surface disinfectants | Hard surface disinfection | Non-porous surface test |
| EN 14561 | Instrument disinfectants | Medical instrument disinfection | Carrier surface test |
| ASTM E2197 | Chemical disinfectants | Multi-purpose surface disinfection | Disk carrier test |
| ASTM D7907 | Medical examination gloves | Antimicrobial gloves | Direct contact test |
| AATCC TM100 | Fabrics, textiles, materials | Antimicrobial textiles | Fabric contact test |
| MIC Testing | Antimicrobial compounds | Drug development, screening | Minimum inhibition assay |
| ASTM E2799 | Anti-biofilm products | Biofilm disinfection | Biofilm efficacy test |
| ASTM E2562 | Anti-biofilm treatments | High-shear biofilm environments | CDC reactor biofilm test |
Industry-Specific Testing Recommendations
Medical & Healthcare: EN 13727, EN 14561, and ASTM D7907 are commonly required for medical-grade disinfectants, instrument cleaners, and antimicrobial medical devices.
Food & Industrial: EN 1276 and EN 13697 are standard choices for food processing facilities, industrial cleaning products, and surface sanitisers.
Textiles & Materials: AATCC TM100 is the go-to method for wound dressings, antimicrobial fabrics, clothing, and textile treatments.
Pharmaceutical & Research: MIC testing and custom log reduction assays support drug development and antimicrobial research applications.
Biofilm Applications: ASTM E2799 and E2562 are specialised for products targeting biofilm prevention and removal.
Get Expert Guidance
Not sure which test method is right for your product or industry? Our bacteriology testing experts are here to help. We can review your specific requirements, regulatory needs, and product characteristics to recommend the most appropriate testing protocol.
Contact our bacteriology testing lab today for personalised guidance on test method selection, custom protocol development, and comprehensive antimicrobial efficacy testing solutions tailored to your project needs.
FAQ
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We test disinfectants, surfaces, gloves, fabrics, and medical devices for bacterial and fungal contamination under standard and custom protocols.
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Yes, we offer bespoke testing protocols tailored to your project goals. Our lab can adapt or develop methods beyond standard guidelines.
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We work with medical, pharmaceutical, food, textile, and industrial sectors, offering reliable microbial efficacy testing across applications.
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Turnaround times vary by test method and complexity, but most standard tests are completed within 7–14 business days. Express services are available.
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EN 13727 evaluates the bactericidal activity of disinfectants in medical settings. It’s essential for product validation and compliance with EU standards.
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Yes, we perform both fungal and bacterial testing using standards like EN 13697 and ASTM E2197 to evaluate fungicidal activity on surfaces and materials.
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You can contact our lab via our website or email with your testing needs. We'll review your requirements and respond promptly with a tailored quotation.