Surface monitoring in cleanroom environments requires non-selective culture media which allow the detection of a broad range of microorganisms. At the same time these media should be supplemented with appropriate neutralizers to overcome or minimize antimicrobial activity at the sampling point as recommended in the ISO 14698.
In surface monitoring most often sanitizer or disinfectant residues may be a reason for false-negative results or limited detection of microorganisms.
There are several guidelines, such as pharmacopoeia (USP) and ISO (ISO 11930 and ISO 18593), which list appropriate neutralizers towards various active ingredients of sanitizers or disinfectants