Melbec Now Offers Water Activity Testing

We are very proud to announce our new Water Activity Testing service.

The purpose of the testing service is to detect the amount of unbound water in a sample. Water that is not bound to the ingredients themselves can be used by unwanted microorganisms which could contribute to product spoilage.

Water Activity is based on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0 with 1.0 being pure unbound water. The more unbound water the greater likelihood of microbial spoilage. Most bacteria, for example, do not grow at a water activity range below 0.91, and most fungi cease to grow at water activities below 0.70. A water activity of 0.6 or below is considered anhydrous and unable to support any microbial growth.

Cosmetic formulations that have a water activity below 0.7 may not need to undergo preservative efficacy testing, as they are unable to support microbial growth associated with product spoilage.

For more information on this new testing service, email us at clientservices@melbecmicrobiology.co.uk or give us a call on 01706 214492.

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