A laboratory requires the maximum level of cleanliness to ensure the quality of the testing being undertaken. Any contamination of surfaces or equipment within the laboratory environment could lead to serious consequences.
Contaminated testing can lead to anomalies in data results and the need for re-testing, consequentially delaying research schedules, increasing lab costs and damaging the integrity of the lab. Contamination can also cause possible illness of laboratory staff.
The application of BioCote® is already used on a wide variety of lab equipment, from autoclaves to benchtop science equipment. By using BioCote® fixtures, fittings and furniture, BioCote® offers the opportunity to produce a complete sterile surrounding, offering up to a 99.9% reduction of bacteria over a 24 hour period.
Stuart laboratory equipment trial
In 2008 BioCote Ltd carried out a two-month environmental study at a microbiology laboratory at the University of Birmingham, which was conducting research for Cancer Research UK.
The study compared bacterial counts on a variety of Stuart® benchtop laboratory equipment protected with BioCote® to untreated products in the same environment. BioCote® antimicrobial protection is an integral feature of all Stuart® benchtop laboratory equipment.
Items tested included a Hotplate, Stirrer and Gyro Rocker and all had been in routine use for around 18 months. Swabs from touchpads, switches, casings etc were collected every fortnight for two months and submitted for rigorous testing.
Results showed that there was a 96.6% reduction in bacteria on BioCote® treated equipment compared to untreated products in the same environment. This evidence suggests BioCote® protection on laboratory equipment and instruments reduces the bacterial contamination present on their surface.
Whilst surface disinfection in the laboratory is an essential requirement, our trial results highlight how permanent BioCote® antimicrobial protection has a benefit to instruments at risk of contamination.
