Log Reduction Calculator

Log reduction calculator provides a simple method to calculate the efficacy of disinfectants such as alcohol or bleach. This tool compares the number of microorganisms in a sample before and after the treatment. The collected results are then expressed as a percentage and as on the logarithmic scale. A higher result means that the given agent has a higher efficacy. For example, a 1 log reduction is equivalent to a 90% bacterial reduction, whereas a 5 log reduction equals a reduction of 99.999%.

Due to the nature of science, researchers often deal with extremely large or small values. Problems can occur when working with very long numbers as they are hard to read and make evaluations more confusing. To keep numbers manageable and facilitate the correct interpretation of results, scientific notation was created. This method expresses values as a simple decimal number multiplied by ten raised to an exponent, typically written as $\footnotesize n \cdot 10^{m}$, where $\footnotesize n$ is the decimal number, and $\footnotesize m$ is the exponent.

Similarly, when determining a change in such large numbers, it is often helpful to apply the logarithmic scale. Unlike the linear one, this scaling system uses the logarithmiccal change from one number to another to represent increment or decrement. Typically, base ten logarithm is used to transform numbers multiplied by ten raised to an exponent into simple 1-2 digits values.

Therefore this log reduction calculator works in two steps. First, it measures how the number of bacteria in a sample has changed due to the impact of a given factor. Second, it expresses the result on a logarithmic scale. We can refer to the result as an X log reduction, typically in the range of a 1 log reduction to a 5 log reduction.

Calculating log reduction for disinfectant validation is a four-step process:

1. Collect samples according to the fixed or standardized protocol.
2. Incubate some samples with a sanitizer, and create control samples.
3. Calculate the number of microorganisms in the control and treated samples to determine how many cells have been killed by the agent.
4. Calculate log reduction according to the formula, which you can find in the section below. The expected result should be in the range of a 1 to 5 log reduction.

However, using microscopes or other direct cell quantity counting systems is usually too expensive or time-consuming for routine work. Therefore, microbiologists often apply indirect methods, some of which utilize sample dilution and culturing it on a petri dish with an appropriate, typically semi-solid, medium. During incubation in specific conditions, microbial colonies should grow, and the level of growth depends on the starting amount of cells. If you're interested in estimating incubation time, feel free to take a look at our cell doubling time calculator.

There is no guarantee that a single colony will grow from a single cell. That's why, for practical reasons, the amount of microbes is expressed in colony forming units (CFU), defined as a single propagule that can produce an isolated colony. Thus, to answer the question "How to calculate log reduction in microbiology?", one should count the average number of CFU visible after incubating both the control and the treated samples. Please note that the control samples are considered to contain a number of microorganisms before the disinfectant is used.

This log reduction calculator uses the following formula to determine log reduction:

To translate calculated log reductions to percentage values, we utilized this equation:

These values are directly connected as they express the same thing on a different scale. Table below shows how the subsequent log reduction values correspond with percentages and absolute numbers:

Once you have collected your results, using this log reduction calculator is simple. Provide the number of $\footnotesize \text{Initial CFU}$ - it is multiplied by 10⁷ by default but feel free to change this multiplier. Then input your $\footnotesize \text{Final CFU}$ (pay attention this value is often in a different order of magnitude. 10⁵ is set as the default as typically there is a significantly fewer number of CFU after treatment - of course, you can change it to fit your needs). After inputting your values into the calculator, the log reduction and percentage values will appear in the appropriate fields.

By the way, this works bi-directionally, and you can simply fill log reduction and either initial or final CFU to calculate the other values!