Microbiological Testing

QiTek Group products have been tested by independent and accredited Australian Microbiological Laboratories for efficacy against viruses and bacteria under preliminary small-scale conditions testing*.
Test viruses in Stage 1&2 have been selected by the Testing agencies as suitable substitutes to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) due to their structure similarity.
Stage 3 is using live SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. These tests are expected to reflect efficacy in killing other pathogens such as influenza and bacteria, and also supports likely effectiveness against both current and future strains.
All tests have been overseen by the CETEC Group of Companies, an internationally recognised scientific consultancy specialising in the health of the built environments.

Stage 1 tests were performed by Analytical MicroLabs

Stage 2 & 3 testing is currently being undertaken by The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, a world recognised research laboratory.

 This validation testing is being funded by the Defence Science Institute, an initiative of the State Government of Victoria.
*Testing has been performed in small-scale laboratory conditions for safety purposes. Configuration assessments need to be made for large scale installations.

Test Result Summary

Contaminant

Exposure Time

Log Reduction

% Reduction
Stage 1 Herpes Simplex Virus HSV-1 30 mins 5 99.999%
Staphylococcus aureus 30 mins 10 99.99999999%
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 30 mins 9 99.9999999%
Stage 2 Influenza A (A/ PuertoRico/8/1934) 5 mins 1 90%
60 mins Not detectable

>8

 Not detectable

>99.999999%
Stage 3 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 30 mins Significant viricidal activity Significant viricidal activity
90 mins >2 – 3+ 99.2 – 99.93%+

+ Subject to environmental conditions

Detailed Test Results

QiTek Hydroxyl air purifier units have been proven to be successful in killing a range of virus and bacteria, as well as the removal of PM2.5 particulates and Volatile Organic Compounds. They have now been successfully tested by the Doherty Institute to kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces. 

STAGE 3

Virus – SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

The test virus strain was SARS-CoV-2 (VIC001 human clinical isolate).

Organism

Exposure Time
(min.)

Average
Log-reduction
SARS-CoV-2 30 Significant viricidal activity
SARS-CoV-2 90 >2 – 3*

* Subject to environmental conditions

Table 2 Efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 – 11W module

STAGE 2

 Virus – Influenza A (A/PuertoRico/8/1934)

Influenza A was selected for testing due to safety, availability and similarity to the SARS-CoV-2 (i.e. an enveloped virus). The Influenza A virus is an enveloped and roughly spherical RNA based virus containing “spikes” on the lipid membrane. Whilst Influenza is not from the same family as coronaviruses, it has a similar lipid enveloped structure.

Organism

Exposure Time
(min.)

Average
Log-reduction
Influenza A 5 1
Influenza A 30 1.4
Influenza A 60 Not Detectable

Table 3 Efficacy against Influenza A – 40W module 

STAGE 1

 Virus – Herpes Simplex Virus

The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) is an enveloped double stranded DNA based virus which is encapsulated within a lipid envelope. Whilst HSV-1 is not from the same family as coronaviruses, it has a similar lipid enveloped structure.

Organism

Initial Bacterial
Count (orgs/mL)

Exposure Time
(min.)

Average
Log-reduction
Herpes Simplex Virus 106 30 5
Herpes Simplex Virus 106 60 5
Herpes Simplex Virus 105 120 4
Herpes Simplex Virus 105 240 3-4

Table 4 Efficacy against Herpes Simplex Virus – 40W module


Bacteria – Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A species of considerable medical importance, P. aeruginosa is a multidrug resistant pathogen recognized for its ubiquity, its intrinsically advanced antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and its association with serious illnesses – hospital-acquired infections such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and various sepsis syndromes.

Organism

Initial Bacterial
Count (orgs/mL)

Exposure Time
(min.)

Average
Log-reduction
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1012 30 10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1012 60 10
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1012 120 9
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1012 240 11

Table 5 Efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa – 40W module  


Bacteria – Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria. These bacteria often cause skin infections but can cause pneumonia, heart valve infections, and bone infections. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a worldwide problem in clinical medicine. Despite much research and development, no vaccine for S. aureus has been approved.

Organism

Initial Bacterial
Count (orgs/mL)

Exposure Time
(min.)

Average
Log-reduction
Staphylococcus aureus 1012 30 9
Staphylococcus aureus 1012 60 10
Staphylococcus aureus 1012 120 9
Staphylococcus aureus 1012 240 9

Table 6 Efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus – 40W module