The methods used are accredited by UKAS to ISO / IEC 17025:2015. Bioburden is the population of viable microorganisms on or in a product and/or package.  Purpose is to establish the microbiological contamination present on a product, component, package or raw material prior to sterilisation process. Methods used include removal of microorganisms by use of eluents and stomaching followed by membrane filtration or by pour plate/spread plate, swabbing, contact plating or Agar overlaying. Membrane Filtration method allows the total volume of eluents to be examined and therefore gives a more accurate result than any other method. Membrane filtration removes the organism from the eluent and therefore neutralisation of microbiocidal or microbiostatic substances may not be necessary. [Bioburden - Hospital Instruments](/pages/bioburden_hospital.php) [Bioburden - Industry](/pages/bioburden_industry.php) Swann-Morton (Microbiological Laboratory Services) Ltd can offer this service to customers based in the UK and internationally.