Microorgansim testing
We offer a range of testing and consultancy services for customers at our UKAS accredited facilities.We have a test chamber and can test resistance to mould growth on any material and product (within a size of up to 64 x 47 x 55cm), from electronic equipment and components to paints, plastics, adhesives, lubricants and fuels. Our laboratory handles over 2000 samples a year. |
On site sampling
We investigate microorganism contamination problems in the home and workplace environments.
We survey sites and building exteriors, building interiors and contents and we can perform sampling on fixed machinery and on sensitive and delicate objects such as valuable artefacts.
You may wish to check what species of fungi you are working with in the laboratory, know what type of mould is forming on your product or, as a builder, check that work can start despite the discovery of a microorganism on site.
Whatever the reason, we can either work on samples collected by you (using our sampling kit) or make a site visit to collect the samples ourselves, accurately identify what is present and provide you with a report.
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Site bioaudits and hygiene assessment (HACCP) This is a test to assess a site’s current bio-status and assess its risk of microorganism contamination. We then advise on how to best minimise this risk. Mould growth testing This tests equipment, components or products for their resistance to mould. We can test to meet any recognised published standard or to your specification. We have been UKAS accredited since 1984 to undertake this kind of test. Shelf life testing The shelf-life test looks at how long a product will last within set conditions before microorganism growth occurs. This enables businesses to confidently set their ‘use by’ dates. |
Some of our tests:
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Adhesives for ceramics - resistance to mould growth - documented in-house method based on BS 5980:1980 (1991) – withdrawn Adhesives for hanging wall coverings - resistance to mould growth - BS 3046:1981 (1991) Appendix G with incubation in sealed bags and growth rating in accordance with BS 2011:Part 2.1J:1989 Electronic equipment and components- resistance to mould growth - BS 2011 Part 2.1J: 1989; IEC 68-210: 1988 Cell 1 Paints - resistance to mould growth - BS 3900 Part G6: 1989 (1994) |
Fuels and lubricants - Assessment of microbial contamination - documented in-house method based on institute of petroleum method IP 385/99 Procedure A Plastics - resistance to mould growth and bacterial growth - ISO846: 1997 Methods A, B, B1 & C ASTM G21-90, Procedure 9.1-9.3 G22-76 (1990) Procedure A and B, Observation 10.1 Other materials and products limited by size of testing chambers - resistance to mould growth maximum size of chamber 64 cm x 47 cm x 55 cm - MIL STD 810 F:2000, method 508.5 ell 2 |
Below are a couple of recent case studies of our on-site consultancy work.
Supermarket sweepA well known supermarket chain whose bread was going mouldy on the shelves commissioned CABI to investigate the cause. We undertook a complete bioaudit at the bakery of the outlet. Samples were taken at every point of the production system, from the flour itself, to the dough, conveyor belts, slicing machines, air, and the water supply. After mycological analysis of the samples, the water supply was identified as the source of the contaminating mould. Under advice from CABI, the water tank and pipes were cleaned and the problem solved. |
Mould on the moveOne of our client's high sugar-content pharmaceutical products recently developed mould growth in the bottle, whilst on the shelf. A whole series of batches of the product had to be recalled from retail outlets whilst Quality Assurance looked into the cause of this mould problem. CABI was called in to test the bottling plant to look for the source of the contamination, taking samples from the air, water, greases and machinery used in manufacture. Analysis of the samples from the factory revealed that the mould did not originate from the bottling process but was brought in with the product itself. The next logical step was tracing the product back to continental Europe where it was manufactured. There we discovered that the company was shipping the liquid to the UK in large containers which were not properly sterilised after each use and were damp when the pharmaceutical was poured in – conditions ideal for mould growth. However, CABI identified that this was only exacerbating a mould problem that originated elsewhere. By tracing the mould back through the whole production and packaging process we identified that the source of the mould was in the raw material being imported from South East Asia. CABI advised on new sterilisation procedures and an enhanced quality control procedure to prevent recurrence of this costly and potentially reputation damaging mould problem. |
Please note
We accept pure cultures of fungi (including mould and yeasts) and bacteria grown on a firm agar medium. These should be mite-free (we can advise if this is a problem) and from sources unlikely to contain organisms pathogenic to man. We also accept dried specimens of fungi. Contaminated samples - please contact the lab for information on what we accept.