Antimicrobial technology as good as new after 1,000 dishwasher cycles.
Parx Materials’ Saniconcentrate™ endures four-year durability test
New test results demonstrate Saniconcentrate™, an additive technology patented by Parx Materials, can withstand over 1,000 cycles in the dishwasher across a period of four years. The results of the durability test is a breakthrough for touch surfaces in food contact applications. In contrast to existing antimicrobial technologies, Saniconcentrate offers vastly superior durability without biocides, leaching or harmful side effects.
Unlike antimicrobial materials that rely on biocides, Saniconcentrate uses a trace element abundantly found in the body to prevent bacteria and viruses from adhering to surfaces. Using this method, the bacteria run through their usual lifecycle and die within hours. This ecological approach of dealing with germs is a natural way to keep bacteria and viruses at bay, instead of actively killing them and inducing resistance.
The test results come at a time when antimicrobial materials are in high demand — particularly for products that must withstand hundreds of dishwasher cycles and washes during its lifespan. For kitchen tools and surfaces in food preparation areas in particular, achieving these antimicrobial properties is rarely possible without the addition of biocides. Parx Materials has long worked to change this.
One of the first experiments with the Parx Materials’ patented antimicrobial technology was the production of cutting boards. Basic small cutting boards were produced out of polyethylene with three per cent Saniconcentrate incorporated homogenously. These boards were not launched commercially, instead intended for home-use by the team members of Parx Materials and their close relations.
Regular cutting board (left) and chopping board made with Parx Materials technology (right).
Regular cutting board (left) and chopping board made with Parx Materials technology (right).
The boards were used daily in households for normal food preparation. This includes the cutting of bread, fruit, vegetables, meats, chicken and citrus fruits.
The durability test, involving the cleaning of the boards, was carried out by placing the boards in the dishwasher together, with all other household dishes and the usual dishwasher tablets. No special cleaning process was applied and the boards endured over 1,000 dishwasher cycles.
Testing these boards according to the ISO22196 protocol, which verifies antibacterial activity of plastics and other non-porous surfaces, proved their antimicrobial property was unchanged. In fact, the used boards demonstrated the same antimicrobial performance as brand-new ones.
In addition, the results prove a reduction of E.coli — a Gram-negative strain — at a level of Log 2.3 / 99.5 per cent, while a reduction of more than Log 5.1 / >99.999 per cent was found for Staphylococcus aureus — a Gram-positive strain.
“These tests clearly confirm our technology is an intrinsic part of the material and is not migrating under the harsh conditions of a dishwasher,” commented Michaël van der Jagt, CEO of Parx Materials. “Withstanding 1,000 dishwasher cycles without losing effectiveness is a tremendous milestone, setting new standards.”