An evaluation of the compatibility of bacterial collagenase with a variety of wound care formulations

Purpose/Rational: Many claims of efficacy and safety of wound care products are made, but very little is known about their compatibility with other formulations commonly used in patient care. One important example is bacterial collagenase. Bacterial collagenase is a well-known enzymatic debriding agent. The purpose of the compatibility testing was to determine the effect of various products on the activity level of collagenase.

Methodology: Test complete as per Bovine Tendon Collagen Assay for Collagenase – test method ~ SCP # 101. Testing completed at Advance Biofactures Corporation (ABC), Lynbrook, New York. This report contains the test results for 15 commonly used wound care products. The results are reported as the average percent collagenase recovered. The lowest acceptable percent value to maintain a viable product as per the finished product specification is 87.29%.

Results: All but one of the therapies tested was incompatible w/ bacterial collagenase.

Conclusion: Out of 15 tested products, 14 of them did not show any significant inhibitory effect on collagenase activity, and the effect on the number of ABC units in the collagenase ointment was calculated to be within release specifications. The sample size of individual products was determined by using a wound model to reproduce actual in clinic usage amounts. The product samples were then mixed with the raw collagenase and then combined with bovine tendon collagen to test the activity. The reported average percent activity of collagenase for all but one of the individual products was above 90%. It is hoped that studies of this type will allow for enhanced clinician education, patient safety and prove beneficial to facilities with respect to managing infection.