- Testing Types
- Kill Rate Study Testing
Terms and Conditions
Sample Submission Form
Overview
A kill rate study, also known as a time-kill study, evaluates how effectively a test material reduces a known microbial population over defined exposure periods. Samples are assessed at specified time points, with surviving microorganisms enumerated to determine microbial reduction and killing kinetics.
Kill rate testing measures the change in a microbial population following exposure to an antimicrobial test material. Depending on the study design, results can be expressed as percent reduction and/or log reduction, providing quantitative data on antimicrobial activity at defined exposure intervals.
Antimicrobial performance can depend on exposure time, concentration, microorganism, and test conditions. Kill rate studies provide quantitative data on microbial reduction over time, helping assess product performance and support antimicrobial efficacy and development decisions.
Testing Services
PLS Analytical can structure time-kill studies around the test material, target microorganisms, exposure conditions, and sampling intervals. The study measures surviving microorganisms after exposure and reports microbial reduction using quantitative results such as log reduction.
Time-Kill Procedure
Time-Kill Procedure
The test material is brought into contact with a known microbial population for a defined period and temperature. At selected intervals, antimicrobial activity is neutralized and surviving microorganisms are recovered and enumerated. Results are compared with the initial or control population to determine percent and/or log reduction.
Advantages
Quantitative Assessment
Measures changes in microbial populations to provide objective evidence of antimicrobial activity.
Time-Dependent Insights
Evaluates microbial reduction at defined exposure intervals to show how activity changes over time.
Fit-for-Purpose Testing
Study parameters can be selected and standardized around the organism, test material, exposure conditions, and intended application.
Reliable Documentation
Clear test parameters, microbial recovery, and reduction calculations provide data that can support product development and efficacy evaluation.
