Testing and Efficacy

Method. Sterile surfaces were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua, left to dry, and stored in a cold room at 1±1°C for four days, where bacteria were measured daily. This was performed in the presence and absence of HyGenikx technology.

Results.

• Without HyGenikx technology, bacteria levels remained around 2 log cfu/cm2​
• With HyGenikx technology, bacteria levels decreased to 0 log cfu/cm2 within 24 hours, and all samples were below detectable levels by day 3

Conclusion. The findings showed that in the absence of HyGenikx technology, there was steady surface contamination with moderate bacterial growth, but in the presence of HyGenikx technology there was a depletion of the bacterial contamination beyond detectable levels. This study validates the ability of HyGenikx to eliminate harmful Listeria from the environment, protecting both staff and customers.

Food Shelf-Life

Lab study by ALS Laboratories

ALS Laboratories is the UK's leading provider of food and drink testing services, with over 20 years experience.

In an independent validation study, HyGenikx was assessed on its ability to prolong the shelf-life of produce stored in a cold room, as well as its ability to improve environmental conditions.

Method. The project was structured in two phases, identical in all aspects except for the introduction of the HyGenikx unit at the beginning of the second phase. 11 food items were trialled, all selected on the basis that they were considered “high risk”. These were: Asparagus Spears, Broccoli, Cherries, Cherry Tomatoes, Chestnut Mushrooms, Cucumber, Grapes, Green Beans, Peach, Raspberries and Strawberries. Care was taken to ensure that comparable products were selected for both phases, with variables such as shelf-life, weight, transport method and handling all as similar as possible. In both phases, the food samples were stored in a cold store at 5±1°C, for 31 days and assessed on when they were deemed to have passed their saleable shelf-life. This was established using visual testing based on objective criteria, which included visible mould/growth, detectable spoilage (appearance or smell) and whether the item would be considered acceptable to buy or not. Swabs and air plates were also used to monitor the environment of the cold store.

Results - Shelf-life

The overall results showed a consistent increase in the shelf-life of the produce during the second phase of the trial with HyGenikx (compared to the first phase, without), with an average increase of the shelf-life of 58.1% (approximately 7.5 days). The assessment showed an increase in the shelf-life of all 11 products trialled, with this increase ranging from 14% to 150%. The highest three increases recorded were Strawberries, with +150% (+9 days), Chestnut Mushrooms, with +107.1% (+15 days) and Grapes with a twofold increase (+12 days).

Results - Air and Surface Contamination

These results were matched by a decrease in the recorded surface and air contamination of the cold store. With HyGenikx, the surface contamination decreased by approximately 45% and the air contamination by approximately 76% overall. 

Conclusion. HyGenikx was proven effective at achieving a longer shelf-life for the chosen fruit and vegetables and improving environmental conditions in a cold store during the trial. 

Crucially, these results were achieved in a simulated working environment cold store - which provide as close to "real world results" as possible. Principally, fruit and vegetable life and quality can be significantly extended, and environments improved, with the installation of HyGenikx. 

Full report available upon request.

Results. The level of Phi6 in the air decreased in all trials. The D value achieved ranged from between 19 minutes and 60 minutes and the test samples showed log reductions of up to >4.1 (where the levels of virus are no longer detectable) when compared to equivalent control samples. An average of 4 log reduction was reported – with HyGenikx removing up to 99.99% of the airborne influenza surrogate in under 3 hours.

Conclusion. HyGenikx is effective at reducing airborne RNA viruses, including the influenza and coronavirus surrogate (the viruses that cause Flu and COVID-19).

These results, Mechline believe, are an industry first, making HyGenikx Air and Surface Sanitisation System the most effective product of this type on the market.

Test carried out under control conditions to BS EN 17272:2020

*Notable human diseases caused by RNA viruses include the common cold, influenza, SARS, MERS, COVID-19, Dengue Virus, hepatitis C, hepatitis E, West Nile fever, Ebola virus disease, rabies, polio, mumps, and measles.
†Log reduction is used to express the relative number of microorganisms eliminated.