22 × 109 7.8 × 105 9.4 × 105     2   8.0 × 105       3   1.2 × 106       4   9.9 × 105     3 – 2 hours 1 0.36 × 109 2.5 × 105 2.6 × 105     2   2.6 × 105       3   2.7 × 105     3 – 6 hours 1   5.2 × 105 5.3 × 105     2   5.2 × 105       3   5.4 × 105     3 – 12 hours 1   7.9

× 105 7.7 × 105     2   7.7 × 105       3   7.6 × 105     3 – 18 hours 1   1.0 × 106 1.0 × 106     2   1.1 × 106       3   1.0 × 106     3 – 24 hours 1   1.2 × 106 1.2 × 106     2   1.2 × 106       3   1.2 × 106   Protocol 2- residual sanitizer activity A sanitization test was followed as described above (Protocol 1) using 4 replicates per material. Post this initial test a Gardner Selleckchem Blebbistatin apparatus was used to simulate surface wear of the test and control samples. The abrasion tester was used at a speed of 2.25 to 2.5 for a total contact ABT-888 datasheet time of 4–5 seconds for one complete cycle. A wear cycle equals one pass to the left and a return pass to the right. After a minimum of 15 minutes after the wear cycle each carrier was reinoculated as described above and dried for a minimum of 30 minutes. After each set of surface wear, absolute ethanol was used to sterilize the apparatus and the foam liner and cotton cloth were changed after each wear test. Wet cycles and dry cycles were alternated and for wet wear cycles the boat assembly included a new foam liner and dry cotton cloth sprayed with sterile deionized water using a preval sprayer from a distance

of 75±1 cm for not more than one second. At least 24 hours THZ1 mw passed between the initial inoculation and final sanitizer. Overall 12 wear cycles were completed before sanitizer activity was assessed using the method outlined above. All the controls as outlined for Protocol 1 were performed. Protocol 3- continuous bacterial reduction A sanitization test was followed as described above (Protocol 1) using 5 replicates per each material tested. The carriers were consecutively inoculated for 8 times by adding the challenge microorganism at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 hours. Efficacy was assessed at 2, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours, which corresponds to 1, 2, 4,

6, and 8 inoculations. After exposure the carriers were transferred to a neutralizer solution and sonicated and rotated to mix. Within one hour, serial dilutions (10−1 to 10−4) were spread on plates using appropriate media and incubated for 48 hours Endonuclease for colony observation and enumeration. All the controls as outlined for Protocol 1 were performed. Results The challenge microorganisms were confirmed for purity by Gram stain and colony morphology. Controls demonstrated that the organic soil, carrier and neutralizing medium were sterile. The neutralizing solution itself did not show any bacterial inhibition. The bacterial titers (actual CFU after taking into consideration the relevant dilutions) recovered from the control samples following the different protocols, which included air drying, sonication, and recovering the bacteria from the exposed carrier, are summarized in Table 1.