Total Viable Counts
Total viable aerobic counts performed to BP, EP, USP, JP, etc. for:
- Bacteria
- Yeasts and moulds
- Thermophiles
Using a variety of techniques including:
- Membrane filtration
- Plate count
- Miles misra
- Most probable number
Various culture media and incubation conditions available.
Absence of Specified Organisms
Presence/absence tests performed for most types of organisms from a variety of source materials including food, water, consumer, household, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceutical medicinal products. For example:
- Salmonellae
- Enterobacteriaceae
- E coli
- P aeruginosa
- S aureus
- Clostridia
Water Analysis
Water analysis and monitoring carried out to a variety of specifications using standard microbiological techniques.
- Potable
- Purified
- WFI
BS 6068-4.12 (1998), ISO 11731:1998 for the detection and enumeration of Legionella.
Pharmacopeal Methods or Client Specific Licensed Methods
For the microbiological examination of:
- Raw materials
- Product release testing
- Medical devices
- Preservative efficacy testing
Microbial Identification
Why identify? To assess risk, identify source of contamination or prepare a strategy for contamination control.
We use a combination of traditional and rapid biochemical identification methods and can identify both bacteria and moulds.
Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
Environmental monitoring can be performed at our client's premises as a service and can include microbiological active air sampling, settle plates, surface monitoring using swabs or contact plates. Hygiene audits can also be performed.
Endotoxin Testing
We are able to offer bacterial endotoxin testing of water and finished products using:
- Gel Clot
- Turbidometric Assay techniques
Biological Indicators
Population determinations and enumeration performed on a range of different biological indicator types.
Microbiological Assays
Microbiological zone diffusion assays performed on:
- Antimicrobials
- Antibiotics
- Vitamins
Preservative Efficacy Testing
PET testing is used to assess the performance of the preservative system in a product or as a tool in formulation development.
A known high population of the organism under study is inoculated into the product under test and thoroughly mixed.
Aliquots of the inoculated product are withdrawn at pre-defined time points and enumerated using standard microbiological techniques and reduction in population calculated by subtraction from initial inoculum level.
MGS personnel are fully trained and experienced in Preservative Efficacy testing and conduct hundreds of tests annually.
Testing of Antimicrobial Fabrics or Plastic Products
Japanese Industrial Standard JIS Z 2801:2000 Antimicrobial products - Test for antimicrobial activity and efficacy.
ASTM E2149-01 Standard test method for determining the antimicrobial activity of immobilized antimicrobial agents under dynamic contact conditions.
AATCC Test Method 30 Antifungal activity, assessment of textile materials: mildew and rot resistance of textile materials.
AATCC Test Method 147 Antibacterial Assessment of textile materials: parallel streak method.
AATCC Test Method 100 Antibacterial finishes a textile materials.
AATCC Test Method 174 Antimicrobial activity assessment of carpets.
Stability Testing
MGS undertakes microbiological shelf life stability testing.
We are able to store samples under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity as defined in ICH guidelines.
Current storage conditions offered:
- 25°C 60% RH
- 30°C 65% RH
- 40°C 75% RH
Dependent upon demand, additional capacity may be available for storage under conditions different to those above. Please enquire for details.
For customers who prefer to store their own stability samples, we can offer a service whereby we manage all other aspects of the testing program including ensuring samples are removed from storage at the correct time, sample collection, testing and communication or results either by exception or in full.
