Microbiology Testing Services

Microbiology testing services are a crucial requirement across many industries worldwide where products, processes and human health are at risk of being negatively affected by the presence and breeding of micro-organisms such as specific pathogens, bacteria, yeast and moulds.

Every day, products and materials come into contact with micro-organisms. Although many are harmless, many can cause significant contamination, damage and risk to human health. Some microbes can utilize your product as a food source, breaking the material down into nutrients and irreversibly changing the product whilst other microbes can spoil food, negatively affect production environments, products and infrastructure. They can cause severe illness or contaminate sterile environments.

Our independent microbiology testing services offer world-class capability across many industries including food, consumer products, cosmetics and beauty products, medical devices, fuels, drinking water and oil exploration. From assessment of microbial contamination, quality control testing, shelf-life and challenge testing, our microbiology testing services can increase consumer confidence in your product, mitigate the negative effects of microbes in your production environment and safeguard your processes and personnel.

We provide comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial coatings against a wide variety of pathogens or fungal degradation for textile, metal or polymer substrates. Microbial testing services also include: Antimicrobial Coatings Efficacy, Product Microbial Sanitation Claims Testing, Environmental Microbiology Consultancy and Testing, Bacteria Testing for the Oil and Gas Industry, Microbiological Contamination of Diesel Fuel.

Food Products Microbiology Services
Our world-class microbiologists use the latest techniques and can test for the full range of potentially harmful food-borne micro-organisms, including pathogens like Salmonella, E.coli, Campylobacter and Listeria, along with spoilage organisms including Yeasts and Moulds. Our experts can also develop and carry out shelf life testing tailored specifically for your products. Therefore you can be sure of a high quality, cost effective service which delivers accurate test results that will help to demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements and ensure that safe and quality food is delivered to consumers.

Commercial Microbiology
Our microbiology experts assist in mitigating risk to your industry processes, infrastructure and personnel through microbial testing, monitoring and consultancy with regards to biofouling risk assessment, water hygiene management, among many other testing services, such as: 

• Microbiological influenced corrosion
• Reservoir souring studies
• Bespoke research projects and consultancy
• Microbial growth in petroleum storage tanks
• Microbial issues in fuels
• Provision of Microbiology Media Test Kits
• Delivery of Microbiology Training Courses
• Drinking water and Legionella management 

Cosmetics and personal care products
Microbiology testing for cosmetics and personal care products is important to product quality and safety and is driven by legislation such as the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. Our microbiologists provide preservative challenge testing, total viable count, microbial control limit testing to monitor microbial contamination, research and development support and quality control testing to ensure the quality of your supply chain including raw materials, bulk products and formulated final cosmetic products.

Efficacy Assessment
Our microbiology services include efficacy assessment: an important evaluation for any product with antimicrobial function in order to optimise product performance and support bactericidal and fungicidal product claims. Our expertise can support you at all stages of the design, trial and manufacturing process for medical devices, coatings, packaging, textiles, industrial surface disinfectants, cosmetics and other healthcare products.

Claim Support 
Many electrical devices such as underground cabling products, HVAC/R equipment, air filtration, lighting (or UV lighting) or food service equipment require verification that they do not support bacteria growth, perform to anti-microbial efficacy or sanitization specifications to support your marketing claims, which also extends to coatings, cleaning products or electrical sanitizing products.

Contamination detection and testing for diesel fuels
Microbiological contamination in diesel fuel systems lead to bacterial infestations that can cause plugged filters, corroded fuel injectors and engine fuel starvation.  Our scientists can detect and treat costly diesel fuel system problems resulting from microbe infestations and overcome the challenges of increased solids, the presence of bio-polymers and increased corrosivity due to sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). 

Fungal Tests of Products and Materials
Several test methods have been developed to ensure the safety and efficacy of product which are routinely exposed to molds and fungi. Intertek is able to offer a full suite of tests methods including ISO 846, ASTM G21, ISO 22196, ASTM C1338 and ASTM D3273 Several methods are deployed to determine the efficacy of the coating against a wide variety of pathogens or fungal degradation, such as E.coli, S.aureus.

Virology Efficacy:
Intertek's germicidal efficacy testing has evolved from use of traditional test bacteria like E. Coli to use of highly technical viruses including the human Coronavirus. Leading the cutting edge, with the development of an innovative aerosolization chamber, our test capabilities, located at our Centre of Excellence in Columbus, OH, USA, allows for aerosol testing in addition to surface testing. This offering provides manufacturers within the lighting, appliances, HVAC, and consumer products industries with complete testing solutions.