Abstract: Polymeric compositions that include polyurethane polymers derived from a polyisocyanate compound and a polyactive hydrogen compound. The polyurethane compound is at least partially endcapped with a group including at least one antimicrobial quaternary ammonium compound. The polymeric composition of the present invention is capable of forming a self-supporting film. The polymeric compositions are suitable for coating substrates to effectively kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, mildew, algae fungi and the like. The polymeric compositions are particularly useful for protecting construction materials used in moist, outdoor environments to prevent discoloration or decay from microorganisms and for surfaces in health care facilities to mitigate the spread of pathogens.

Abstract: Microbial spores having increased sensitivity to sterilants are provided. An additive such as a dipeptide, oligosaccharide, and/or polyhydroxyalcohols are added to the spores wherein the additive is bound to sterilant-sensitive sites in the spores. The additive increases sensitivity of the spores to a sterilant. More than one additive can be utilized to alter the sensitivity of the spores to a sterilant. Biological indicators comprising the microbial spores and a solid support are also disclosed and those spores having a dipeptide specifically bound to sterilant-sensitive sites in the spores have an altered sensitivity to a sterilant. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for altering the sensitivity of microbial spores to a sterilant comprising drying the spores at a temperature between 35° C. and 55° C. in a liquid composition having an amount of the additive therein.

Abstract: The present specification describes a sterility indicator device which comprises a container means and a cover means. The container means comprises a plurality of discrete zones, wherein each zone contains biologically active substrate useful in determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. Each zone is in effect an individual sterility indicator. The device results in increased reliability and accuracy due to the increased number of discrete zones. The number of discrete zones may be of sufficient size so as to provide statistically significant predictive values at the ninety-five percent or better confidence interval for lower numbers of surviving spores.

Abstract: The present specification describes a sterility indicator device which comprises a container means and a cover means. The container means comprises a plurality of discrete zones, wherein each zone contains biologically active substrate useful in determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process. Each zone is in effect an individual sterility indicator. The device results in increased reliability and accuracy due to the increased number of discrete zones. The number of discrete zones may be of sufficient size so as to provide statistically significant predictive values at the ninety-five percent or better confidence interval for lower numbers of surviving spores.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and the use of biological indicator systems to assess and determine the effectiveness of sterilization processes comprising the steps of contacting an indicator comprising microbial spores with a sterilant; a medium selected to germinate the spores; and calculating a germination rate of the exposed spores to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization process. A method for rapidly determining the effectiveness of the gemination rate of microbial spores with spore viability is also described.

Abstract: Meta-hydroxyphenylacetylenes are produced from phenyl-substituted ketal or acetal precursors. Using biotransformation processes, these precursors serve as substrates that are converted to cis-dihydrodiol intermediates. The cis-dihydrodiols can be converted chemically to the corresponding meta-substituted compounds, e.g., meta-substituted phenols, and then to m-hydroxyphenylacetylene, which is an intermediate needed to produce acetylene-terminated resins. The biotransformation step employs arene-2,3-dioxygenase in intra- or extra- cellular form.