MB-10 Disinfectant Tablets | The Simplest Way to Make Pure Chlorine Dioxide
MB-10 & Vimoba Chlorine Dioxide Disinfectant Tablets
Chlorine dioxide tablets engineered for broad-spectrum efficacy, material compatibility, and animal welfare. Proven superior to bleach and Accelerated Peroxide Formulations in published studies.
Disinfectant Selection Is More Complex Than Many Research Facilities Realize
Not all disinfectants are suitable for research environments. Some damage acrylic and polycarbonate surfaces, creating cracks where bacteria can hide from future cleanings. Others leave residues that animals detect and avoid, which can skew behavioral data without anyone noticing.
MB-10 and Vimoba Tablets are chlorine dioxide disinfectant tablets built specifically for laboratory animal and research environments. They provide broad-spectrum disinfection, excellent material compatibility, and the pure chlorine dioxide formula leaves no residue.
The tablet form dissolves to an exact concentration without measuring, mixing, or spill concerns, and reduces shipping weights and the space required to store on site.
Published Evidence from UC San Diego and UCLA
Two peer-reviewed studies evaluated disinfectants across efficacy, material compatibility, and behavioral effects in laboratory animal settings. The findings establish chlorine dioxide tablets as the most effective option when all three factors are considered. View UC San Diego study | View UCLA study
UC San Diego Gnotobiotic Core Facility Study
Moody et al., Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2019
- Chlorine dioxide tablets (MB-10/Vimoba) maintained equal or superior efficacy against spores as against vegetative bacteria
- Accelerated Peroxide Formulations lost 80- to 100-fold efficacy against spores and showed zero sporicidal activity at tested concentrations
- Bleach and the tested peroxide-based product caused visible pitting and fissuring in acrylic after 3-month field testing
- Vimoba Tablets caused no visible material damage to acrylic, vinyl, or metals
Note: The study tested an Accelerated Peroxide Formulation. Material compatibility issues are believed to result from surfactant additives rather than hydrogen peroxide itself. Standard hydrogen peroxide solutions that are not Accelerated Peroxide Formulations show different material compatibility profiles.
UCLA Behavioral Aversion Study
Campagna et al., Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2016
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) created statistically significant aversion across all three mouse strains tested (P < 0.001)
- The tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation also created statistically significant aversion
- Vimoba Tablets showed no significant aversion in any strain
- The competitor product's aversive component was undetectable to human observers but consistently avoided by mice
- Pre-exposure reduced but did not eliminate aversion, animals did not develop tolerance
Note: The tested product was an Accelerated Peroxide Formulation. Aversive effects are believed to result from surfactant or other proprietary additives rather than hydrogen peroxide itself.
Broad-Spectrum Activity Across Pathogens of Concern
MB-10 and Vimoba Tablets are EPA-registered against the organisms most relevant to laboratory animal facilities, biomedical research, and veterinary settings. All claims listed below are verified through EPA's Antimicrobial Testing Program.
| Concentration (ppm) | Contact Time | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 60 seconds | Food-contact surface sanitizer |
| 100 | 60 seconds to 10 minutes | General disinfection across most viruses and bacteria |
| 200 | 60 seconds to 10 minutes | Higher-level disinfection, including SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 in as little as 60 seconds |
| 1000 | 60 minutes | Cold sterilant for BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities and pharmaceutical manufacturing |
General ranges shown above. A small number of organisms fall outside this range. See the full EPA-registered list below for exact concentration and contact time by organism.
View Full EPA-Registered Pathogen List (60+ Organisms)
Viruses
| Organism | Concentration (ppm) | Contact Time (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Minute Virus of Mouse (MVM-p) † | 100 | 10 |
| Minute Virus of Mouse (MVM-i) † | 100 | 10 |
| Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV-A59) † | 100 | 10 |
| Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV-JHM) † | 100 | 10 |
| Murine Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 (Sendai) † | 100 | 10 |
| Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV) † | 100 | 10 |
| Theiler's Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV) † | 100 | 10 |
| Avian Influenza A (H3N2) | 100 | 10 |
| Canine Parvovirus † | 100 | 10 |
| Feline Panleukopenia Virus † | 200 | 5 |
| Foot & Mouth Disease Virus | 100 or 200 | 30 |
| Hantavirus | 100 | 10 |
| Hepatitis B Virus | 200 | 10 |
| Hepatitis C Virus | 200 | 10 |
| HIV-1 | 200 | 1 |
| Human Coronavirus | 200 | 10 |
| Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) † | 100 | 10 |
| Influenza A Virus (Hong Kong) | 100 | 10 |
| Marek's Disease Virus (MDV) † | 100 | 10 |
| Newcastle Disease Virus † | 200 | 5 |
| Norovirus | 200 | 10 |
| Porcine Circovirus Type 2 † | 100 | 10 |
| Poliovirus Type 1 | 200 | 10 |
| Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus | 200 | 5 |
| Porcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) † | 100 | 10 |
| Pseudorabies Virus † | 200 | 5 |
| SARS-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, cause of COVID-19) | 200 | 1 |
| Swine Influenza A Virus † | 200 | 5 |
| Vaccinia Virus | 100 | 10 |
Bacteria (Disinfectant)
| Organism | Concentration (ppm) | Contact Time (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Bordetella bronchiseptica | 200 | 10 |
| Corynebacterium bovis | 100 | 10 |
| Enterococcus faecalis (Vancomycin Resistant) | 200 | 5 |
| Escherichia coli O157:H7 | 200 | 10 |
| Helicobacter pylori | 100 | 10 |
| Mycobacterium bovis ‡ | 200 | 5 |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 200 | 10 |
| Salmonella enterica | 200 | 10 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 200 | 10 |
| Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) | 100 or 200 | 10 |
| Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin Resistant | 200 | 5 |
Bacteria (Sanitizer)
| Organism | Concentration (ppm) | Contact Time (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Salmonella enterica | 25 | 1 |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 25 | 1 |
† Animal viruses. ‡ Tuberculocidal claim against Mycobacterium bovis. Concentration and contact time are specific to each organism per the EPA master label; always confirm current label claims before use.
Designed for Research, Veterinary, and Biomedical Settings
Laboratory Animal Facilities
Cages, coops, crates, kennels, floors, walls, counters, biosafety hoods, instruments, transfer equipment, gnotobiotic isolators
Animal Rearing & Research Facilities
Hard non-porous surfaces, equipment, glassware, stainless steel, plastics, epoxy floors
Food-Contact Surface Sanitizer
Processing equipment, utensils, dishes, countertops (25 ppm, 60 sec contact time)
Healthcare & Veterinary Facilities
Hospitals, clinics, ambulances, medical/dental offices, surgical instruments
Commercial & Institutional
Office buildings, food plants, schools, hotels, transportation vehicles
Surface Sterilization
BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory equipment (1000 ppm, 1 hour)
Dosing Reference
| Application | Concentration | Contact Time | Tablet Dosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitizer (food contact) | 25 ppm | 60 seconds | 1 tablet per 20 gallons |
| Disinfectant (general) | 100 ppm | 1–10 minutes* | 1 tablet per 5 gallons |
| Disinfectant (higher level) | 200 ppm | 5–30 minutes* | 1 tablet per 2.5 gallons |
| Sterilant | 1000 ppm | 60 minutes | 1 tablet per 0.5 gallons |
*Contact time varies by pathogen. See EPA master label for specific claims.
No Damage to Equipment, Caging, or Surfaces
Unlike bleach and Accelerated Peroxide Formulations, chlorine dioxide tablets do not cause pitting, cracking, or corrosion to materials commonly used in research facilities. This difference has been documented in published field testing.
Important: The tested product was an Accelerated Peroxide Formulation. Standard hydrogen peroxide solutions (such as Quip Labs' HaloMist) are not Accelerated Peroxide Formulations and do not exhibit the same material compatibility issues, as damage appears to result from surfactant additives.
Comparison of Material Effects
| Material | MB-10 / Vimoba | Bleach | Accelerated Peroxide Formulation* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (isolator ports) | Greatly reduced risk of damage | Pitting, fissuring | Severe pitting, cracking |
| Polysulfone caging | Compatible when used properly | Compatible | Clouding, cracking |
| Stainless steel | Compatible | Corrosive | Compatible |
| Vinyl (isolator film) | Compatible | Slight effects | Thick residue |
| Soft metals | Compatible** | Highly corrosive | Variable |
*Surfactant-enhanced formulation tested in published studies. Standard hydrogen peroxide products show different compatibility profiles.
**Vimoba contains buffering agent for enhanced soft metal compatibility
Field Testing Results
In a three-month field test using actual gnotobiotic isolator ports in routine use, the tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation caused severe material compatibility issues. Chlorine dioxide tablets caused no visible damage. (UC San Diego study, 2019)
No Behavioral Aversion: A Critical Advantage for Research
The Problem
Disinfectant residues can create aversive odors that animals perceive but humans cannot detect. When animals avoid treated surfaces, facilities introduce an uncontrolled variable into housing, handling, and behavioral testing, one that protocols don't account for.
UCLA Study Results
Statistically significant aversion across all three mouse strains (Swiss Webster, C57Bl/6, BALB/c). P < 0.001.
Statistically significant aversion. The tested product's aversive component was undetectable to human observers, no noticeable odor, no visible residue, but mice consistently avoided treated surfaces.
The aversive effects are believed to result from surfactant or other proprietary additives in the accelerated formulation, not from hydrogen peroxide itself.
No significant aversion in any strain. No pre-exposure conditioning needed.
Mice pre-exposed to the competitor disinfectant for 15 minutes daily for three consecutive days still showed aversion. The effect persists: animals do not develop tolerance.
Implication for Research
If animals avoid contact with treated surfaces due to sensory perception researchers can't detect, behavioral observations change without documentation. Vimoba Tablets eliminate this confounding variable.
Working with Soft Metals?
Vimoba Tablets deliver the same research-backed efficacy as MB-10, with enhanced buffering for maximum compatibility with brass, copper, and aluminum components.
- Same EPA registration and pathogen coverage as MB-10
- Buffered formulation for soft metal compatibility
- No animal aversion, no material damage
- Superior sporicidal activity vs. Accelerated Peroxide Formulations
Why Leading Research Facilities Choose MB-10 / Vimoba
| Factor | MB-10 / Vimoba | Bleach | Accelerated Peroxide Formulation* | Peracetic Acid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporicidal Efficacy | Superior | Effective | Zero activity (UC San Diego study) | Effective |
| Material Compatibility | No damage | Corrosive to metals, damages acrylic | Severe acrylic damage, polysulfone clouding | Variable |
| Animal Aversion | None | Significant (P<0.001) | Significant (P<0.001) | Not tested |
| Odor | Minimal | Strong, offensive | Typically mild to humans** | Strong, vinegar-like |
| pH Stability | Effective across wide pH range | Loses activity in acidic conditions | Variable | Variable |
| Organic Load Challenge | Maintains activity | Inactivated by organics | Inactivated by organics | Better than bleach |
| EPA Sterilant Option | Yes (1000 ppm) | No | Limited formulations | Yes (some formulations) |
*Accelerated Peroxide Formulation tested in referenced studies. Standard hydrogen peroxide products (such as Quip Labs' HaloMist) are not Accelerated Peroxide Formulations and show different performance characteristics.
**Aversive to mice despite being imperceptible to humans, believed to result from surfactant additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EPA registration number for MB-10?
MB-10 and Vimoba Tablets carry EPA Registration Number 70060-19. Both products are chlorine dioxide chemistry, available in 1.5g and 6g tablet sizes covering concentrations from 25 to 1000 ppm.
What is the difference between MB-10 and Vimoba Tablets?
MB-10 and Vimoba share the same EPA registration and pathogen coverage. Vimoba includes an additional buffering agent that improves compatibility with soft metals such as brass, copper, and aluminum, making it the better choice for facilities with soft metal equipment or components.
What concentration is needed for sterilization?
MB-10 and Vimoba are EPA-registered as a sterilant at 1000 ppm with a one-hour contact time, suitable for BSL-3/BSL-4 facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory equipment requiring complete microbial elimination.
Do chlorine dioxide tablets damage caging, isolators, or lab equipment?
No. A published UC San Diego field study found that chlorine dioxide tablets caused no visible material damage to acrylic, vinyl, or metals over three months of routine gnotobiotic isolator use, while bleach and a tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation caused pitting, fissuring, or clouding.
Do MB-10 and Vimoba cause behavioral aversion in research animals?
No. A published UCLA study found no statistically significant aversion to Vimoba Tablets in any of three mouse strains tested, while bleach and a tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation both produced statistically significant aversion (P < 0.001).
How long do MB-10 and Vimoba tablets and working solutions last?
Tablets carry a 3-year shelf life. Once dissolved into a working solution, use within 1 week for full efficacy.
What disinfectant is used in laboratory animal facilities and vivariums?
MB-10 and Vimoba chlorine dioxide tablets are EPA-registered disinfectants widely used in laboratory animal facilities, vivariums, and animal housing facilities. They provide broad-spectrum disinfection on hard non-porous surfaces including floors, walls, ceilings, stainless steel, vinyl, and plastic, without damaging equipment or creating animal aversion.
What is the best disinfectant for laboratory use in life science research facilities?
For life science research facilities, the ideal laboratory disinfectant needs to address three factors: broad-spectrum efficacy including sporicidal activity, material compatibility with acrylic and polysulfone caging, and no behavioral effects on research animals. MB-10 and Vimoba chlorine dioxide tablets are supported by published peer-reviewed research addressing all three factors.
What disinfectant kills Minute Virus of Mouse (MVM) in research facilities?
MB-10 chlorine dioxide tablets are EPA-registered against Minute Virus of Mouse (MVM-p and MVM-i) at 100 ppm with a 10-minute contact time. MVM is one of the most environmentally stable and difficult-to-eliminate pathogens in mouse research colonies, making EPA-registered efficacy against both strains an important consideration for vivarium disinfection programs.
What disinfectant is effective against Mouse Hepatitis Virus, Sendai, and other rodent pathogens?
MB-10 chlorine dioxide tablets are EPA-registered against a broad panel of rodent research pathogens, including Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV-A59 and MHV-JHM), Murine Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 (Sendai), Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV), Theiler's Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV), and Minute Virus of Mouse (MVM-p and MVM-i), all at 100 ppm. Also registered against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Corynebacterium bovis, and other bacterial pathogens of concern in laboratory animal facilities.
How does chlorine dioxide compare to Accelerated Peroxide Formulations as a laboratory disinfectant?
A peer-reviewed study conducted at UC San Diego's Gnotobiotic Core Facility found that chlorine dioxide tablets maintained full sporicidal efficacy while the tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation lost 80 to 100 fold efficacy against spores and showed zero sporicidal activity. The tested formulation also caused severe pitting and cracking in acrylic isolator ports, while chlorine dioxide tablets caused no visible material damage. A separate UCLA study found the tested formulation created statistically significant behavioral aversion in mice; chlorine dioxide tablets did not.
Do Accelerated Peroxide Formulations damage laboratory equipment and caging?
Published field testing documented at UC San Diego found that a tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation caused severe pitting and cracking in acrylic isolator ports and clouding in polysulfone caging after three months of routine use. Chlorine dioxide tablets caused no visible material damage under identical conditions. Material damage to acrylic and polysulfone creates harborage sites where pathogens can survive disinfection cycles.
What laboratory disinfectant causes minimal animal aversion?
Published peer-reviewed research has found no significant behavioral aversion in laboratory mice to Vimoba and MB-10 chlorine dioxide tablets. A UCLA study found that both sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and a tested Accelerated Peroxide Formulation created statistically significant aversion across multiple mouse strains (P < 0.001), even though the aversive odor was imperceptible to human researchers. Chlorine dioxide tablets showed no significant aversion in any strain tested.
Why do leading research facilities choose MB-10 and Vimoba tablets?
MB-10 and Vimoba demonstrate superior sporicidal efficacy in UC San Diego peer-reviewed studies, cause no material damage to laboratory equipment, and show no significant animal behavioral aversion, advantages documented in published research and not demonstrated by bleach or the Accelerated Peroxide Formulation tested in the same studies.
What makes chlorine dioxide tablets different from other disinfectants?
Chlorine dioxide maintains strong sporicidal activity even at low concentrations, unlike the Accelerated Peroxide Formulation tested in published research, which lost 80 to 100 fold efficacy against spores. Chlorine dioxide tablets also ship and store dry, a fraction of the weight and footprint of liquid disinfectants, and dissolve to a precise concentration with no measuring or spill risk.
What disinfectant is recommended for floors, walls, and ceilings in animal housing facilities?
MB-10 and Vimoba chlorine dioxide tablets are EPA-registered for use on floors, walls, ceilings, and other hard non-porous surfaces in animal housing facilities, vivariums, and life science research environments. They are compatible with stainless steel, vinyl, sealed concrete, and plastic surfaces. Unlike bleach, chlorine dioxide does not corrode metals or damage acrylic on repeated use.
Is chlorine dioxide effective as a laboratory disinfectant in IVF and clinical settings?
MB-10 chlorine dioxide tablets are EPA-registered for use in laboratories and healthcare facilities, including medical offices and clinical environments. Low odor, no aversive residues, and compatibility with plastics, stainless steel, and vinyl make it well suited to sensitive laboratory environments where chemical residues are a concern. Facilities should confirm specific use requirements against the current EPA label for their application.
How does MB-10 compare to other broad-spectrum laboratory disinfectants?
MB-10 chlorine dioxide tablets offer distinct advantages for research animal facilities compared to many broad-spectrum laboratory disinfectants: published peer-reviewed evidence of no behavioral aversion in laboratory mice, documented material compatibility with acrylic gnotobiotic isolator components, and EPA sterilant registration at 1000 ppm. MB-10 also ships and stores as dry tablets with a three-year shelf life, rather than as a liquid or powder concentrate.
Why is sporicidal activity important in laboratory disinfection?
Bacterial spores are significantly more resistant to disinfectants than vegetative bacteria. A disinfectant effective against vegetative bacteria may have zero activity against spores. This matters in gnotobiotic facilities, BSL-3 and BSL-4 environments, and any setting where high-level disinfection is required. MB-10 tablets maintain sporicidal efficacy across a range of concentrations, unlike the Accelerated Peroxide Formulation that published research shows loses sporicidal activity at tested concentrations.
Technical Documentation
UCLA Behavioral Study
Factors in the Selection of Surface Disinfectants for Laboratory Animal Settings
Read StudyMaterials Compatibility Study
Sensible Science: Compatibility benefits of MB-10 with 304 stainless steel
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