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JIS Z 2801 - Antimicrobial Surface
Test
"Test for
Antimicrobial Activity and Efficacy"
Test Summary:
Note: The test
summary presented below is for educational purposes only - the
current, detailed JIS Z 2801 test method can be purchased from ANSI
or JIS.
JIS stands for Japanese
Industrial Standard. JIS Z 2801 was
designed to quantitatively measure the ability of an
antimicrobial surface to kill or inhibit the growth of
microorganisms.
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The test microorganism is
prepared, usually by growth in a liquid culture medium.
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The suspension of test microorganism is standardized
by dilution in a nutritive broth (this affords
microorganisms the potential to grow during the test). |
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Control and test surfaces are
inoculated with microorganisms, in triplicate, and then the
microbial inoculum is covered with a thin, sterile film.
Covering the inoculum spreads it, prevents it from
evaporating, and ensures close contact with the
antimicrobial surface. |
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Microbial concentrations
are determined at "time zero" by elution followed by
dilution and plating. |
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A control is run to
verify that the neutralization/elution method effectively
neutralizes the antimicrobial agent in the antimicrobial
surface being tested. |
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Inoculated, covered
control and antimicrobial test surfaces are allowed
to incubate undisturbed in a humid environment for 24 hours. |
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After incubation,
microbial concentrations on are determined. |
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Reduction of
microorganisms relative to initial concentrations and the
control surface is calculated. |
Strengths of the JIS Z 2801
Test:
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The method is
quantitative and results tend to be reproducible, provided
the inoculum does not spill off of the target area after
being covered with the thin film. |
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The method tests for both
bacteriostatic (growth-inhibiting) and bactericidal
(bacteria-killing) properties. |
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Microbial concentrations
are standardized, and bacteria are provided with nutrients
during the incubation period, which provides them with ample
opportunity to grow if surfaces aren't sufficiently
antimicrobial. This is in contrast to certain other
antimicrobial tests, where microbes are "incubated" in
non-nutritive suspensions, which itself may be stressful
over long periods. |
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The method stipulates
triplicate experimentation, which helps researchers estimate
the precision of the individual tests and increases overall
experimental accuracy. |
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The method includes a
rating system for the calculated levels of antimicrobial
activity observed in test samples, making determinations of
antimicrobial activity less discretionary. |
Weaknesses of the JIS Z 2801
Test:
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The JIS Z 2801 method is
not necessarily representative of actual surface
contamination events, since a relatively dilute liquid
microbial inoculum is spread over a considerable surface
area, and then is kept wet (usually for a period of 24
hours). Most of the time, microbial contaminants dry
quickly onto surfaces. This limits the time that an
aqueous medium is available to facilitate interaction
between the antimicrobial surface and microorganisms.
This means that JIS Z 2801 is a "best-case" sort of test for
many products. |
Though the JIS Z 2801 test is
somewhat "best-case," it is an excellent way to quantify the
antimicrobial activity level of an antimicrobial surface, especially
one that is hydrophobic. Among the various tests for
antimicrobial activity of surfaces, this has emerged as one of the
industry standards.
For more information about the
JIS Z 2801 test for antimicrobial surfaces,
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