Substance stamps out the superbugs

A new substance discovered in the labs of a Manchester-based industrial coatings manufacturer is set to play a key role in stamping out outbreaks of a wide range of 'superbugs' including listeria, legionella, e-coli and even drug-resistant micro-organisms such as MRSA. The news comes less than a month after the UK Health Secretary John Reid demanded urgent action to combat the MRSA superbug, which some experts have predicted could kill up to 150,000 patients over the next two years. The company, Byotrol, part of Manchester-based HMG Paints, believes its new Byotrol product is a world first and represents a significant breakthrough in mankind's battle against bugs. The company stumbled on the liquid while it was making paint for a bread factory. Independent experts say the substance is a totally new type of biocide. It has been tested in the industrial cleaning sector, but Manchester-based HMG Paints says it could help the NHS enormously. Byotrol can be delivered in a fine spray, which fogs every surface in a room, or by hand-spraying. "We were trying to make a paint for a bread factory and we came upon this," said Stephen Falder, HMG Paints boss. "We didn't believe it at the time because the results were so good." Existing antibacterial cleaners poison bugs such as MRSA and e-coli. They work, but as soon as the cleaner dries, bugs can start colonising the surfaces again. Byotrol creates an extremely slippery microscopic coating and the bugs try continuously to attach themselves to the surface so they can multiply. Because they cannot get a grip, they become weak and can then be poisoned. The film itself stays active for several days. The product continues to be effective for up to seven days after application and is virtually harmless to humans and animals. Independent experts have backed HMG Paints' claims. Dr Jim Coulson carried out laboratory tests from microbiological testing lab Microbac Analytica in Durham, as has Professor Ralph Portier, of Department of Environmental Studies at Louisana State University. Professor Portier also heads the university's Aquatic and Industrial Toxicology Laboratory. The product has already secured worldwide approval with various organisations. "As well as the medical markets and the NHS, we see great potential for this product within the food processing industry and also the travel and airline industries," Falder added. Contact Stephen Falder T: +44(0)161 205 7631 www.byotrol.com Or enter 111 on enquiry card