Research & Development

Information

For over thirty years the Microbiology Laboratory has supported the company's products by providing test results proving effectiveness against harmful bacteria and fungi.

The efficacy of all disinfectants in our range has been tested using the appropriate European Standard test method. Test Reports and Microbiological Profiles summarising the results are available to customers.

The laboratory oversees the manufacture of hand soaps manufactured under cosmetic regulations. Sampling of each batch during manufacture and filling is used to confirm the microbiological status. Regular swabbing of manufacturing and filling equipment is used to monitor and improve the housekeeping and hygiene programme.

With a staff including 6 qualified and very experienced microbiologists the laboratory has maintained UKAS [http://www.ukas.org] accreditation for disinfectant testing for 17 years. Click here to see our accredication certificate.

We maintain close links with expert virology laboratories to ensure that our virucidal products are tested against the most important viruses e.g. Swine and Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Virus.

We are partners with a local secondary school specialising in science providing practical demonstrations and visits for pupils studying for Applied Biology GCSE.

Research

We are currently partners in a DEFRA LINK research project to determine the effectiveness of hygiene measures against Noro (Norwalk) virus.

A major new £800,000 research project part sponsored by DEFRA and industrial partners seeks to investigate the effectiveness of existing methods for inactivating Norovirus. The research area is problematic because the virus cannot be grown in culture outside of its human host making scientific investigation difficult. However researchers at Leatherhead Food International and Surrey University in conjunction with the Health Protection Agency hope to develop new approaches for measuring the inactivation of the virus without growing it in culture. The project is anticipated to reveal new data on the stability of Norovirus, determine the effectiveness of current control measures and result in a rapid test for monitoring the presence of Norovirus. The research is supported by a number of industrial partners interested in exploiting the research including Unilever plc, Evans Vanodine International plc, Atlas Genetics Ltd , McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd , Waitrose Ltd, Carnival plc, the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group Ltd, RHM technology Ltd

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis. They are also known as ‘winter vomiting viruses’, small, round, structured viruses or Norwalk-like viruses.

This type of virus was first identified in 1972 after an outbreak in Norwalk, Ohio. Outbreaks occur because the virus is easily spread from one person to another and is capable of surviving in the environment for many days.

The group of viruses have been classified as members of the calicivirus family.

At the present time there is no disinfectant test method available to assess the virucidal activity of disinfectants against human norovirus.

Surrogate or model viruses i.e. feline calicivirus and murine norovirus are currently used to indicate the virucidal activity of disinfectants against human norovirus.

Until the results of the research are available, good hygiene practices are recommended, these include thorough hand washing and use of alcohol hand gel to disinfect hands, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of contaminated surfaces.

Product Registration

Ensuring that all of our disinfectants meet the requirements of the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) [http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biocides/index.htm] is a priority. We have a programme of testing to ensure that the most relevant European test method is used for each product.

We maintain registration of veterinary disinfectants under the Diseases of Animals Act and listed as approved disinfectants by DEFRA [http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/control/testing-disinfectants.htm] , DARD in Northern Ireland [http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/animal-health/animal-disease-control-and-prevention.htm] and DAFF in Ireland [http://agriculture-gov.ie/footandmouth/] .

Authorisations for teat disinfectants [link to livestock products] are maintained under the under Veterinary Medicines Regulations and listed on the VMD website [http://www.vmd.gov.uk/ProductInfo/AuthMed/caregories1.htm]

Staff

Our staff of nine includes six qualified and experienced microbiologists.

Chief Microbiologist Valerie Fotheringham has over thirty years experience in disinfectant testing. Valerie is the convenor of the European Committee CEN TC 216 WG2 responsible for the development and ultimately publication (through BSI) of testing standards for veterinary disinfectants.

Technical Manager Miriam Finlay has over 18 years experience in disinfectant testing.

Both are members of the Institute of Biology [http://www.iob.org]and Society for Applied Microbiology [http://www.sfam.org.uk/index.php].

Disinfectant Testing Service

UKAS Testing Laboratory 1108, first accredited in 1992, for a range of disinfectant test methods. The current scope of accreditation includes EN suspension and surface test methods.

The laboratory has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability over 17 years of testing for clients in the UK and abroad.

We can offer advice on the suitability of test methods and are happy to discuss costs for non-standard methods or development projects.

Our qualified staff have taken part in collaborative trials during the development of European Standards EN 1276, EN 1656, EN 1650 and EN 1656. The trials involved laboratories from academia and industry in several European countries and our results indicated our competence in carrying out these procedures.

Valerie J C Fotheringham B.Sc., CBiol MSB

Chief Microbiologist

Miriam Finlay

Technical Manager CBiol MSB

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Publications of Interest

Rev.sci.tech.Off.int.Epiz., 1995, 14 (1) 191-205, Disinfection of livestock production premises, V J C Fotheringham

Rev.sci.tech.Off.int.Epiz., 1995, 14 (2) 293-307, Disinfection of stockyards, V J C Fotheringham

Speciality Chemicals, May 2008, Volume 28, No. 04, 24-25, Ensuring the data supports the claim for disinfectants, Valerie Fotheringham

The Pig Journal, 2007, 60, 15-25, Efficacy of some disinfectant compounds against porcine bacterial pathogens, J R Thompson, N A Bell, M Rafferty

Aquaculture 286, 2009, 190-197, Development of bactericidal and virucidal testing standards for aquaculture disinfectants, David W Verner-Jeffreys Claire L Joiner, Nicola J Bagwell, R Allan Reese, Asbjorn Husby, Peter F. Dixon

Journal of Virological Methods, 2009, 156, 89-95 Temperature inactivation of Feline calicivirus vaccine strain FCV F-9 in comparison with human norovirus using an RNA exposure assay and reverse transcribed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction - A novel method for predicting virus infectivity. Topping, J.R et al

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