Analysis of antimicrobial activity

Antimicrobial activity analysis assesses a product's ability to inhibit the growth or destroy microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, or molds. It is essential for validating the efficacy of technical products, active ingredients, plant extracts, or formulations intended for nutraceutical, cosmetic, textile, or industrial applications. This analysis is a key step in ensuring the performance, safety, and regulatory compliance of products claiming antimicrobial activity.

Microbiological issues and principles

The antimicrobial activity of a product can result from an inhibitory (bacteriostatic) or destructive (bactericidal) mechanism. The objective of the analysis is to quantify this effect, measure its intensity, and define its spectrum of action. Manufacturers use these results to validate a functional claim, compare several formulations, select active ingredients, or evaluate the stability of the effect over time. In nutraceuticals, the analysis also allows for the characterization of natural extracts with traditional or scientifically documented antimicrobial properties.

Analysis methods

Several methods are used to measure antimicrobial activity, depending on the nature of the product and the type of effect desired. Diffusion on agar involves applying the product or extract to an agar plate inoculated with a target microorganism; the resulting zone of inhibition reflects the antimicrobial efficacy. Suspension tests measure, in a liquid medium, the reduction of the microbial load after contact with the product. These methods can be performed according to recognized international standards, notably ASTM and ISO, guaranteeing the reliability and reproducibility of the results.

Some tests may include determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), allowing for the establishment of precise efficacy thresholds. Additional analyses, such as antimicrobial kinetic studies, may also be performed to characterize the product's behavior under different conditions.

Dies and industrial applications

Antimicrobial activity analysis applies to a wide range of matrices: plant extracts, essential oils, active ingredients, functional powders, hydroalcoholic gels, technical solutions, antimicrobial textiles, treated surfaces, and materials designed to reduce contamination. It is used in the development of innovative products, the validation of protective or stabilizing formulations, the evaluation of surface treatment performance, and the qualification of natural ingredients with antimicrobial properties.

In the case of textile products, these analyses allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of a treatment applied to a fabric. For hydroalcoholic formulations, they confirm compliance with efficacy requirements. For plant extracts, they help to document natural antimicrobial potential in nutraceutical or cosmetic applications.

YesWeLab Support

YesWeLab collaborates with a specialized network of applied microbiology laboratories, selected for their expertise and compliance with ISO 17025 and COFRAC standards. We support manufacturers in defining the most appropriate protocol based on the matrix, the test objective, and regulatory requirements. Our digital platform allows you to easily centralize your analysis requests, track your samples, view your results, and communicate with our scientific team. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, formulators, and research and development firms have entrusted us with evaluating and validating the antimicrobial efficacy of their products.

Other analyses from the YesWeLab catalogue

• Analysis of antioxidant activity
• Measurement of polyphenols and bioactive compounds
• Analysis of contaminants