“This work adds to previously announced results showing that Biosignal’s agents compare favourably to existing biocide treatments glutaraldehyde and THPS in preventing initial establishment of biofilms,” the biotech junior said.

Biofilms are colonies of bacteria on surfaces.

In the Monash laboratory, biofilms were formed over seven days by corrosion-causing bacteria, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, and were treated with Biosignal’s compounds at 20 parts per million.

“There was a significant reduction in viable cells in the biofilm after treatment as measured by an industry standard serial dilution assay,” Biosignal said.

Biosignal’s compounds were also tested in combination with existing biocides used by oil and gas companies.

The tests have found that when used in combination, the Biosignal compounds can reduce the biocide dosage by at least 50% to achieve the same biofilm reduction result.

One of Biosignal’s active agents outperformed the biocide THPS by a factor of 1000 in reducing existing biofilm, the company said.

“Existing biocides are only partially effective,” Biosignal said

“Some are hazardous goods and their use is associated with high costs and greater occupational health and safety and environmental risks.”

These results confirmed that Biosignal’s compounds have great potential for preventing corrosion in oil and gas infrastructure, according to Biosignal chief executive Michael Oredsson.

“The results will be of interest to chemical suppliers we are talking to about commercialisation.”

The Monash University testing has been supported by Q-Stat, Santos and BHP Billiton.

Biosignal said it was currently in discussions with interested parties to move to the next stage of development.