If protein is still there, the job isn't clean. In restoration and cleaning work, protein is a contamination risk.
Whether it's food residue, bodily fluids, sewage or organic matter from a water loss, if protein remains on a surface, it hasn't been properly cleaned.
The CleanTrust™ Allergen Surface Protein Swab (Anaeron AE0200) gives you an on-site way to confirm whether organic contamination has actually been removed, using a simple colour-change test read by eye. No meter is required.
This is the high-sensitivity protein swab in the CleanTrust range. Anaeron rates it to detect 5 µg of protein after 15 minutes' incubation at 37 °C, so it is designed to be used with a controlled heat source such as the CleanTrust Dry Bath Incubator.
Why This Matters on the Job
- Verify bio-contamination has been removed. Critical for sewage, trauma and water damage jobs.
- Support proper remediation sign-off, especially where contamination risk is high.
- Reduce call-backs and rework. Catch missed contamination before handover.
- Strengthen your documentation. Provide evidence of cleaning effectiveness to clients and insurers.
Key Benefits
- Detects trace protein contamination. Identifies even small amounts of organic residue left on surfaces, including potentially allergenic proteins (Anaeron describes it as broad-spectrum protein residue detection).
- No meter required. A simple colour-change result makes it easy for any technician to use. It does need an incubator; see below.
- Fast on-site results. A clear pass/fail indication within minutes: 15 minutes at 37 °C under Anaeron's procedure.
- High sensitivity. Capable of detecting very low levels of protein contamination: 5 µg after incubation.
- Simple, repeatable process. Ideal for field use and technician training.
Ideal For
- Water damage restorers verifying category 2 and 3 contamination removal
- Trauma and bio-clean technicians checking organic residue clearance
- Mould remediators confirming cleaning effectiveness before clearance
- Commercial cleaners working in high-risk or regulated environments
- HVAC cleaning where organic build-up may be present
How It Works
In short: swab the surface (approx. 10 × 10 cm area), activate the reagent, allow reaction time, then read the colour. Green = clean / low protein. Purple = contamination present. The faster and darker the colour change, the higher the contamination level.
Anaeron's full procedure (AE0200 Instructions for Use):
- If the swabs have been refrigerated, let the swab come to room temperature (approx. 20–25 °C) before use.
- Hold the swab firmly, then twist and pull the top of the swab from the tube. Do not touch the swab bud or the inside of the tube.
- Swab a 10 × 10 cm area in a zig-zag pattern, vertically and horizontally, pressing hard enough to bend the shaft and rotating the swab as you go. Keep pressure and technique consistent, particularly on irregular surfaces.
- Put the swab back into the tube.
- Break the top valve by bending the bulb forward and back, then squeeze the bulb twice to expel all the liquid down the shaft.
- Shake the swab back and forth for 10 seconds.
- Incubate for 15 minutes at 37 °C.
- Compare the colour with the colour chart.
| Colour | Result | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Pass | No further action required |
| Greyish green | Pass with caution | Repeat the test, or compare with a negative control (a swab activated without sampling, incubated at the same time and temperature) |
| Grey | Fail — not clean | Repeat cleaning and re-test |
| Purple | Fail — large amount of protein or interfering substances | Repeat cleaning and re-test |
Incubation Requirement
For consistent and reliable results, these swabs are best used with a controlled heat source such as the CleanTrust Dry Bath Incubator.
- Consistent temperature = consistent results
- Improves detection of low-level contamination
- Ideal for professional QA, reporting and compliance work
While results can occur without incubation, using an incubator removes guesswork and improves repeatability, particularly on critical jobs.
Anaeron's instructions go further than a recommendation: the AE0200 procedure specifies 15 minutes at 37 °C, and the 5 µg sensitivity is quoted only after that incubation. Anaeron publishes no read time or sensitivity for an unincubated AE0200 swab, so treat an unincubated result as indicative only, and incubate any test that will go into a report. If you want a protein test designed to be read at room temperature, see the Surface Protein Swab comparison below.
Getting a Reliable Result
- Test cleaned surfaces. The swab is designed to find residue you cannot see. On a visibly dirty surface the reaction is suppressed and the result is likely to be inaccurate.
- Rinse off cleaning chemicals and let the surface dry first. Anaeron warns that alkaline sanitisers in high concentration can give false negatives, and peroxide-based disinfectants can give false positives — both common on restoration jobs.
- Test after cleaning and before disinfection where your process allows.
- The colour reflects protein and other interfering substances. Residue can contain non-protein materials such as ascorbic acid and sugars that also react.
AE0200 Allergen or AE0100 Surface Protein?
| Allergen Surface Protein (AE0200, this product) | Surface Protein (AE0100) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity (Anaeron) | 5 µg after 15 min at 37 °C | 80 µg at 1 min, 50 µg at 5 min, 20 µg at 10 min |
| Equipment | Incubator at 37 °C | None — read by eye at room temperature |
| Best suited to | Final sign-off and critical jobs where low-level residue matters | Quick first-pass checks in the field |
Why Professionals Choose Protein Swabs
ATP testing tells you something is present. Protein testing confirms organic contamination specifically.
These swabs are:
- A simple, low-cost verification tool
- Ideal for quick checks without a luminometer
- Perfect for confirming bio-contamination removal before sign-off
Used alongside ATP testing with the CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab and CleanTrust Touch YZ3500 Luminometer, they form part of a complete contamination verification process, not just a visual clean. Neither test identifies organisms or replaces laboratory testing where a job specification calls for it.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | CleanTrust™ (Anaeron Pty Ltd, Frenchs Forest NSW) |
|---|---|
| Anaeron code | AE0200 |
| CCW SKU | CTAE0200 |
| Type | Protein / allergen residue surface test |
| Pack size | 100 swabs per box, plus instructions for use |
| Detection | Protein / organic residue, including potentially allergenic proteins |
| Sensitivity | 5 µg after incubation at 37 °C for 15 minutes |
| Result type | Visual colour change, green to purple (no meter required) |
| Incubation | 37 °C for 15 minutes (Anaeron procedure) |
| Sample area | 10 × 10 cm |
| Use case | Surface contamination verification |
| Storage | Cool storage recommended for optimal shelf life: 12 months at 2–8 °C away from light, or 4 weeks at 20–25 °C away from light |
| Swab material | 100% recyclable plastic (Anaeron) |
Safety
The swab liquid is mostly sterile water with less than 1% each of sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and BCA reagent. Anaeron's SDS lists it as not classified under EU CLP, but also notes it may irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory tract and is harmful if swallowed. Wear disposable gloves and safety glasses, and dispose of used swabs according to local regulations. The SDS states the product is for research use only, not for human or veterinary clinical use.
Pro Tip
For professional results, especially on insurance or compliance work, use these swabs with the CleanTrust Incubator to ensure consistent, repeatable readings across different jobs and technicians.
Common Mistakes This Helps Avoid
- Signing off jobs with residual organic contamination still present
- Assuming visual cleanliness = hygienic cleanliness
- Missing contamination in porous or textured surfaces
- Failing hygiene checks in commercial or regulated environments
- Inconsistent results between technicians
- Testing straight after a peroxide disinfectant or strong alkaline cleaner, which can give a false result
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an incubator for this swab?
Anaeron's procedure says yes: 15 minutes at 37 °C, and its 5 µg sensitivity applies only after incubation. A colour change can appear without incubation, but treat that as indicative. If you want a no-equipment test, the AE0100 Surface Protein Swab is read at room temperature.
Will it tell me what the contamination is?
No. The colour change shows protein and some other interfering substances are present. It does not identify the source, an allergen type or any organism.
Can I test straight after applying a disinfectant?
Not reliably. Rinse cleaning and disinfecting chemicals off and let the surface dry. Peroxide-based products can cause false positives and concentrated alkaline sanitisers can cause false negatives.
What does a greyish green result mean?
Pass with caution. Repeat the test, or run a negative control swab (activated without sampling and incubated alongside) and compare the colours.
How should I store the box?
Refrigerated at 2–8 °C away from light for up to 12 months, or at 20–25 °C for up to 4 weeks. Let refrigerated swabs reach room temperature before use.
Does this swab go in the YZ3500 luminometer?
No. Protein swabs are read by eye. The YZ3500 reads CleanTrust ATP swabs.
Don't Just Clean It — Verify It
Add CleanTrust Protein Swabs to your kit and make sure organic contamination is actually gone before handover.
Documents
CleanTrust™ Protein Allergen Swab Flyer
CleanTrust™ Protein Allergen Swab Instructions
CleanTrust™ Protein Allergen Swab SDS
Video
Related Products
- CleanTrust Incubator – Small Dry Bath — 37 °C incubation for this swab
- CleanTrust Surface Protein Swab, Box of 100 — room-temperature protein test
- CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab, Box of 100
- CleanTrust ATP Water Total Swab, Box of 100
- CleanTrust Touch YZ3500 Luminometer
- All CleanTrust products
Not sure which protein swab suits your QA process, or whether you need the incubator? Contact Carpet Cleaners Warehouse before ordering and we will help you put the right test kit together.
