ASTM E723-13(2019)

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Antimicrobials as Preservatives for Aqueous-Based Products Used in the Paper Industry (Bacterial Spoilage)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice should be used to determine if an antimicrobial preserves pigment suspensions, dye solutions, pulp slurries, starch solutions, polymers, sizing agents, latex emulsions, and other aqueous-based materials used in the paper industry from bacterial spoilage.
Note 1: Control of fungal spoilage of similar products can be evaluated by Test Method E875.
Note 2: Slimicides for control of fungal or bacterial slime can be evaluated by Test Method E1839.
SCOPE
1.1 This laboratory practice is used to determine the efficacy of an antimicrobial for preventing bacterial spoilage of in-process aqueous-based products used in the paper industry. For information on fungal spoilage, see Test Method E875. This practice should be performed by persons who have had basic microbiological training.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (See 40 CFR Part 160.)  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2019
• ICS: 85.020 - Paper production processes
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.15 - Antimicrobial Agents

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E723-13 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Antimicrobials as Preservatives for Aqueous-Based Products Used in the Paper Industry (Bacterial Spoilage)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1839-20 - Standard Practice for Efficacy of Slimicides for the Paper Industry—Bacterial and Fungal Slime
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2756-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM E640-06(2019) - Standard Test Method for Preservatives in Water-Containing Cosmetics
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM E2756-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM E1326-15 - Standard Guide for Evaluating Non-culture Microbiological Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
• Effective Date: 01-May-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1326-13 - Standard Guide for Evaluating Nonconventional Microbiological Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E1839-13 - Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Slimicides for the Paper Industry—Bacterial and Fungal Slime
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Refers: ASTM E640-06(2012) - Standard Test Method for Preservatives in Water-Containing Cosmetics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM E2756-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM E875-10 - Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Fungal Control Agents as Preservatives for Aqueous-Based Products Used in the Paper Industry
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E1326-08 - Standard Guide for Evaluating Nonconventional Microbiological Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1054-08 - Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Refers: ASTM E1839-07 - Standard Test Method for Efficacy of Slimicides for the Paper Industry—Bacterial and Fungal Slime
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM E640-06 - Standard Test Method for Preservatives in Water-Containing Cosmetics
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006

Overview

ASTM E723-13(2019) is the standard practice for evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobials used as preservatives in aqueous-based products within the paper industry, specifically for the prevention of bacterial spoilage. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines laboratory procedures to determine if antimicrobial agents can adequately preserve materials such as pigment suspensions, dye solutions, pulp slurries, starch solutions, polymers, sizing agents, and latex emulsions. The focus is primarily on managing bacterial contamination and spoilage during in-process storage and handling, which is a significant concern for operational efficiency and product quality in papermaking.

Key Topics

• Purpose: Assessment of antimicrobial efficacy in inhibiting bacterial growth in water-based materials used in paper manufacturing.
• Test Materials: Includes freshly prepared pigment slurries, adhesives, dye solutions, size agents, and other aqueous-based materials commonly found in the paper industry.
• Procedure Basics:
  • Inoculation of test material with bacterial contaminants.
  • Treatment with various concentrations of the antimicrobial agent.
  • Monitoring and enumeration of bacteria at specified intervals to assess preservation.
• Evaluation Criteria:
  • Determining acceptable microbial limits relevant to the intended use of the aqueous product.
  • Comparison between treated samples and untreated controls to establish the effectiveness of the preservative.
• Safety and Compliance: Users are required to follow appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and comply with regulatory limitations, notably 40 CFR Part 160 (Good Laboratory Practice Standards).

Applications

Implementing ASTM E723-13(2019) has several practical benefits and uses within the paper industry:

• Quality Assurance: Ensures that aqueous-based intermediates such as pulp slurries and pigment suspensions are effectively preserved, reducing the risk of microbial spoilage that can compromise the final paper product.
• Process Efficiency: Reduces downtime and spoilage-associated losses by verifying the appropriate selection and dosage of antimicrobials for in-process products.
• Research and Development: Offers a standardized method for evaluating new or existing antimicrobials, aiding R&D teams in product development and improvement.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to internationally recognized testing methods helps facilitate product approvals and market access.
• Environmental Control: Supports sustainable paper production by minimizing the risk of spoilage-related waste and resource consumption.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to microbial preservation in paper industry processes, the following related ASTM standards are referenced and frequently used in conjunction with ASTM E723-13(2019):

• ASTM E875: Standard practice for evaluating fungal control agents as preservatives for aqueous-based products (for fungal spoilage).
• ASTM E1839: Test method for efficacy of slimicides for controlling fungal and bacterial slimes in the paper industry.
• ASTM E1054: Test methods for evaluation of inactivators of antimicrobial agents (useful for neutralizing antimicrobials during testing).
• ASTM E1326: Guide for evaluating non-culture microbiological tests, offering alternative approaches to standard plate counts.
• ASTM E2756: Terminology relating to antimicrobial and antiviral agents.
• 40 CFR Part 160: U.S. EPA Good Laboratory Practice Standards for compliance and regulatory reporting.

These standards collectively support a robust, standardized approach to controlling microbial contamination in paper manufacturing, ensuring product integrity, operational reliability, and adherence to international best practices.

Keywords: antimicrobial testing, paper industry, bacterial spoilage, aqueous-based products, preservatives, ASTM standards, quality assurance, pulp slurry preservation, pigment suspension protection, industry compliance

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E723 − 13 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Antimicrobials as Preservatives for Aqueous-
Based Products Used in the Paper Industry (Bacterial
Spoilage)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E723; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1054Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Anti-
microbial Agents
1.1 Thislaboratorypracticeisusedtodeterminetheefficacy
E1326Guide for Evaluating Non-culture Microbiological
of an antimicrobial for preventing bacterial spoilage of in-
Tests
processaqueous-basedproductsusedinthepaperindustry.For
E1839Test Method for Efficacy of Slimicides for the Paper
information on fungal spoilage, see Test Method E875. This
Industry—Bacterial and Fungal Slime
practice should be performed by persons who have had basic
E2756Terminology Relating toAntimicrobial andAntiviral
microbiological training.
Agents
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.2 Other Standards:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
40 CFR Part 160Good Laboratory Practice Standards
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 For definitions of terms related to this practice, see
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Terminology E2756.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1 antimicrobial, n—chemicalorphysicalagentthatkills
(See 40 CFR Part 160.)
or inactivates microorganisms or suppresses their growth or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
reproduction.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.2 bactericide, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
bacteria, but not necessarily bacterial spores.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.2.3 biocide, n—a physical or chemical agent that kills
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. organisms.
3.2.4 microbicide, n—aphysicalorchemicalagentthatkills
2. Referenced Documents
microorganisms.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.5 preservatives,n—chemicalagent(s)addedtoaproduct
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
to reduce or prevent microbial growth.
E640Test Method for Preservatives in Water-Containing
Cosmetics
4. Summary of Practice
E875Practice for Evaluation of Fungal Control Agents as
4.1 Aqueous material to be preserved is inoculated with
Preservatives for Aqueous-Based Products Used in the
appropriate bacterial inoculums followed by addition of a
Paper Industry
bactericidethatwillreducepopulationsofbacteriaandprevent
thegrowthofsurvivorsforaspecifiedperiodoftime.Bacterial
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides,
numbers in the sample are determined at various time periods
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
and compared to a contol without any bactericide. The proper
Subcommittee E35.15 on Antimicrobial Agents.
level of antimicrobial is one that reduces and keeps the
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally
organisms to an acceptable level in the test material.
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E723–13. DOI:
10.1520/E0723-13R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
the ASTM website. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E723 − 13 (2019)
5. Significance and Use 7.2 Purity of Water—All references to water as diluent or
reagent shall mean distilled water or water of equal purity,
5.1 This practice should be used to determine if an antimi-
unless otherwise noted (see Specification D1193, Type III).
crobial preserves pigment suspensions, dye solutions, pulp
slurries, starch solutions, polymers, sizing agents, latex 7.3 Test Materials—Freshly prepared pigment slurries,
emulsions,andotheraqueous-basedmaterialsusedinthepaper adhesives, dye rosin, polymer, sizing solutions, and other
industry from bacterial spoilage. materials to be preserved should be used as the substrate.
7.4 Culture Medium:
NOTE 1—Control of fungal spoilage of similar products can be
evaluated by Test Method E875.
7.4.1 Standard dehydrated tryptone glucose extract agar or
NOTE 2—Slimicides for control of fungal or bacterial slime can be
other medium that is known to recover organisms from the
evaluated by Test Method E1839.
material to be tested is recommended.
7.4.2 Forsomesubstratesitmaybenecessarytoaddasmall
6. Apparatus
amount of nutrient material to ensure growth of the organisms
6.1 Balance—One sensitive to 0.1 g at a load of 200 g with
in the material to be studied for preservation. For bacterial
a platform to accommodate bottles being used in the test; and
preservation studies, add 5.0 mL/L of 0.2% nutrient broth to
asecond(analytical)sensitiveto0.1mgusedforweighingtest
the test material to ensure sufficient populations.
chemicals.
8. Test Organisms
6.2 Bottles—Borosilicateglassmilkdilutionbottlesorother
suitable containers fitted either with screw caps or Escher 8.1 The test organisms will vary with the material to be
rubber stoppers. These bottles are used for water blanks and preserved and the purpose of the test. For specific materials
aqueous-based samples. thatarecontaminated,thatmaterialwillserveastheinoculum.
For general screening of activity or preventative evaluations,
6.3 Colony Counter—Any one of several types may be
the inoculum may consist of a single or mixed culture of
used, such as the Quebec, Buck, and Wolfhuegel.Ahand tally
organisms. It is best to use organisms that are known to cause
for the recording of the bacterial count is recommended if
spoilage of the material to be preserved.Alternatively, bacteria
manual counting is done. Alternatively, an automated video
listed in Test Method E640 may be used. The viability of the
colony counter may also be used.
microorganisms in the material to be tested should be verified
6.4 Culture Tube Closures—Appropriate nontoxic closures
prior to initiating the test.
should be selected.
8.2 To provide a uniformly inoculated substrate, the inocu-
6.5 Culture Tubes—Recommended size is 15 by 125 mm or
lum should be added to the entire quantity of the test substrate
18by150mmwithoutlip,andpreferablyofborosilicateglass.
at one time, mixed thoroughly, and then dispensed
...