Bacteria in a biofilm state are typically less susceptible to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and biocides. The Biofilm Eradication Surface Testing (BEST Assay™) method enables screening of in-development and finished product surfaces to assess antimicrobial efficacy against relevant strains of biofilm-forming microorganisms. The BEST Assay™ method is customizable to your materials or products, facilitating reproducible testing and producing reliable results that support 510(k) and FDA submissions.
Biofilms are organized communities of microorganisms that exist in virtually every natural environment. Biofilms form in response to shear force (flow) to avert being removed from their environment by “turning on” specific genes responsible for biofilm growth. In a biofilm state, bacteria are typically less susceptible to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and biocides. In some cases, bacteria can be up to 4,000 times more resistant than the same organism in a free-floating state. Common areas for biofilms to form in a clinical setting include, but are not limited to, implanted medical devices such as catheters, stents, joints, implants, pacemakers, etc.
Innovotech can prepare conditioning fluids to match the needs of your testing to simulate the setting your product will be used in. Some commonly used conditioning fluids includes human serum and human plasma of varying concentrations, artificial perspiration, artificial saliva, artificial urine, and other salt solutions.
We have standard test microorganisms such as S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, C. albicans, K. pneumoniae, etc. In addition, clinical and environmental isolates and a variety of other strains are available for selection. Other organisms in mind? We can also perform testing in
Schedule a meeting with us to discuss specific testing methods related to your product.
Planktonic cells are free floating in solutions and are more susceptible to antimicrobials. Whereas biofilms are layers of cells adhered to a surface and to each other and are more resistant to antimicrobials. See the image below for a visual of how a biofilm is formed.
