It has long been known that the human body is colonized by a diversified microbiome consisting of bacteria, archaea and fungi. In addition, it is well documented that imbalances between naturally occurring microorganisms caused by, among other things, antibiotic treatment have a crucial role in several skin diseases.

In order to study the composition and change of the microbiome, there is a need for sensitive and robust methods of analysis. The use of quantitative PCR (qPCR) and large-scale sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized our understanding of the composition and richness of skin flora over the past ten years. The research on maintaining a well-functioning microbiome on our skin when using skin care products is a relatively unexplored area. There are several descriptive studies based on qPCR and NGS of the body's microbiome, but since the composition and richness of the microbiome varies significantly between different skin surfaces, it is not possible to draw general conclusions about the microbiome's influence on a particular product or substance.

Although the skin contains a large number of microorganisms, the presence of an excess of human DNA makes it difficult to apply DNA-based methodology, this is especially true of NGS. Some DNA-based methods are also sensitive to the presence of disruptive substances in the samples, e.g. from skin care products applied to the skin. These challenges mean that optimization work is necessary to get well-functioning and robust methods. Standardized methods for this purpose are often missing.

Does your company have a product or a new idea linked to hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, but need help to further develop or test it?  Does your company need to optimise cleaning and disinfection? Is it really clean but with a lower environmental footprint? These are some of the questions we can help answer.

 offers independent evaluation and development of product/technology/materials/routines/services regarding both hygiene improvements and functional properties in lab, pilot or full scale

We offer, among other things, the following services:

• Cleanability of Process Equipment
• Formulation & Evaluation of cleaning agents
• Comparison of cleaning techniques
• Numerical Purity Analysis
• Just as clean – but with a lower environmental footprint
• Efficient Use of resources 
• Safe working environment 
• Investigation of cleaning problems
• Medical devices – cleaning, sterilization validation
• Biofilm 
• Hygienic Design 
• Training 

Aim and goal

This project aimed at evaluating how a limited domestic hot water (DHW) volume at reduced temperature would affect the growth of Legionella and how such a system could be implemented in real buildings.

Challenge

One important aspect in sustainable building is to optimize energy consumption, with DHW temperature being one essential factor. The optimal DHW temperature is often a balance between energy demands and microbial safety, in particular the risk of Legionella spp. at temperatures below 50 °C. Methods to remove Legionella used today has been shown to last for a short time and give rise to e.g. problems with leakage due to damage on the DHW installations. There is therefore a need to investigate novel approaches to solve this problem.

Solution

In new building constructions and renewal projects it is important to design the DHW system correct to minimize energy consumption and lower the risk of Legionella. One such approach would be to use a small volume of DHW, e.g. 3 L, and to heat the water instantaneously when needed. This approach has been tested in Germany and Denmark, but further evaluations are needed under Swedish conditions. There is also a need to study the Legionella biofilm formation under controlled conditions in such a system to be able to assess the risks in a long-term perspective.

Effect

The investigated system could potentially provide a stronger Legionella protection, and simultaneously allow a reduction of the DHW temperature with substantial reduction in the energy consumption.

Aim and goal

The project's goal is to develop a measurement method for studying dirt and microflora on surfaces to visualize the effects of cleaning methods and routines. The measurement method is intended to provide quick feedback to the user of the cleaning products and increase the motivation to clean efficiently. In addition, routines for the cleaning and effects of implementing some interventions are mapped into two case studies in hospitals and food production.

Challenge

There are major socio-economic benefits to reduce the spread of pathogenic viruses and microorganisms in homes, public environments, health care and food production. Here cleansing is crucial to prevent infection spread.

A large part of the cleaning is manual work, and it is often difficult for the person to decide whether the cleaning is enough. In addition, often there are no standards for measuring what is clean enough.

Solution

A good method for measuring the purity and presence of microorganisms, which provides quick feedback on the cleaning efficiency of the operator, would provide more efficient cleaning. In addition to this, the possibility of evaluating the types of microorganisms present on the surface and how they vary over time would be valuable to, for example, be able to see if a change in routines affects the levels and types of microorganisms., and thereby reduce infection spread.

In the project, flow cytometry (FC) is evaluated as a quick analysis method to get an overview of the composition and levels of microflora on surfaces. The method is used today for routine analysis of drinking water production and promising studies also show that the analysis can be automated, and the equipment miniaturized to be used directly by cleaning staff or operator.

Effect

Measuring cleaning efficiency faster and more efficiently, as well as an opportunity to evaluate the types of microorganisms present on surfaces in the patient room is an important part of patient safety work. In the food industry, this information allows for increased food safety and improved hygiene, resulting in less recalls and food waste.