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Biosignal said this was a potential new class of applications for its product that was particularly relevant to pipelines and equipment in the oil and gas industry and other industrial surfaces where corrosion was an issue.
Q.Stat commissioned the CSIRO's Division of Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology to conduct the testing on the bacteria D. vulgaris and the fungus H. resinae.
The two companies said the most meaningful outcome of the tests was the prevention of microbial corrosion of aluminium over four months. Biocides that are currently used to clean pipelines and other industrial surfaces have limited efficacy and short-term effects.
The trials demonstrated Biosignal's compounds significantly reduced the amount of corrosion of aluminium coupons inoculated with either organism, compared to a control test. Aluminium is commonly used in aircraft fuel systems and is a relevant proxy for steel used in oil and gas pipelines.
Biosignal chief executive officer Michael Oredsson said the early results were very encouraging.
"This is a new opportunity to develop a product based on Biosignal's anti-biofilm compounds to remedy a very large global problem in oil and gas production, distribution and storage," he said.
"This would be an entirely new class of product … In the past year we have been surprised by new found efficacy against bacteria causing cholera, oral bacteria and now corrosive bacteria and fungi. The novelty and efficacy of Biosignal's technology is opening a lot of doors at a diverse range of big companies."
The CSIRO will now test compounds at different concentrations, including compounds not tested in the first round, to move towards developing a cost-effective lead product.
The parties will also approach potential collaboration partners in the oil and gas industry.
