These additives are often referred to as in-can preservatives. There are numerous antibacterial products. These actives include isothiazolinones, oxazolidines, derivatives of hexamethylene tetramine, halogenated alkanes and others including blends of these. Both liquids and powders are available. There are many other microbiological test methods suitable for evaluating the efficacy of bactericides.
Most biocide suppliers offer microbial testing as a free service to potential customers.
Fungal organisms include filamentous, spore forming moulds that develop microscopic unicellular yeast and mycelial mats visible to the unaided eye. Fungi are ubiquitous aerobic organisms commonly transported as air borne spores or in association with soil particulates. Moulds are surface dwellers, while yeasts frequently grow under acid conditions in bulk stored materials as well as on surfaces. Conditions supporting growth of fungi are high humidity or moist surfaces and availability of degradable organics such as thickener residues and some polymers, e.g, polyvinylacetate and organics, that migrate through the coating film from a substrate of wood and particle board. Coating films at such conditions provide a suitable environment for the growth of fungi.