1 Collect

1 Collect

The analysis begins with the field collection. The flexibility of our range of RollBag bags adapts to any type of test taking (soil, plant waste, spring water...).

2 Sample

2 Sample

Sampling for microbiological analysis preparation. The sample is placed in its unique bag with filter (BagFilter P 3500 mL) for blender avoiding cross contamination. The bag stands upright with a BagOpen.

3 Dilute

3 Dilute

Weigh the sample with the DiluFlow Pro dilutor equipped with a JumboKit. The DiluFlow diluter automatically dispenses the diluent according to the chosen dilution factor with ± 2 % accuracy in accordance with the standards.

4 Homogenize

4 Homogenize

The sample is homogenised in a JumboMix W CC without any contact with the mixer, thus avoiding cross-contamination. Bacteria are quickly removed from the sample without being destroyed and the filter in the bag removes particles in the filtrate.

5 Organize

5 Organize

The homogenised samples are then stored in a BagRack Slide.

6 Distribute

6 Distribute

With FlexiPump, the serial distribution of culture media, agars, diluents...is accurate, fast and sterile.

7 Plate

7 Plate

Place the filtered sample in a beaker. The easySpiral Dilute plater automatically dilutes and plates the sample into a Petri dish, allowing 4 dilution logs to be carried out on the same dish. The easySpiral software collects the plating data.

8Incubate and count

8Incubate and count

ScanStation is an smart incubator that maintains an optimal temperature for microbial growth while analysing colony development in real time for enumeration. This real time growth monitoring allows more accurate enumerations and anticipated results. In addition, the ScanStation is 21 CFR part 11 certified, guaranteeing data protection and result traceability.

Types of analysis

Environmental control analyses process samples from water treatment, surface water, sewage sludge, soil...

The use of our products improves the quality and reliability of microbiological analyses in this field.

  • Quality control

    Water treatment, public water or sewage sludge enumeration:

    • Total flora
    • Escherichia coli
    • Coliformes
    • Légionnella spp.

    Search for microorganisms in soil and mud samples:

    • Pseudomonas spp.
    • Bacillus spp.
    • Anaerobic sulfite-reducing agent - Clostidium spp.
    • Total and thermotolerant coliforms
    • Antibiotic multi-resistant Escherichia coli

    Search for microorganisms in air samples:

    • Sedimentation plating readings
    • Air collector plating reading
  • Research & Development
    • Hydrocarbon treatment
    • Multiresistance to antibiotic analysis
    • Aging study / plant analysis
    • Physico-chemical soil analysis

Example of protocol in the environmental sector

Collect the sample with RollBag

Collect the sample with RollBag

Dilute the sample at 1/10th with DiluFlow

Weigh 10 to 25 g of soil sample and dilute to 1/10 with DiluFlow

Homogenize with MiniMix lab blender

Filter and homogenize
the sample in BagMixer for a particle free filtrate

Plate with easySpiral

Inoculate the inoculum for microorganisms detection with easySpiral

Incubate Petri dishes with ScanStation

Place the Petri dishes in ScanStation for incubation

Obtain a compliance result with ScanStation

Enumerate colonies with ScanStation or Scan for identification purposes

Plate with easySpiral

Innoculate the strain to be analsed with easySpiral ’’Constant’’ mode and place the antibiotic discs before incubation.

Interpret Petri dishes (SIR) with Scan

Read and interpret dishes (SIR) according to EUCAST, CASFM, CLSI... with the automatic Scan range.

Application notes

  • Dispensing repeatability of 9 mL from a 2-liter bottle with FlexiPump

    Aim: Evaluate the repeatability of a volume dispensed consecutively, after a FlexiPump calibration, from a FlexiPump calibration from a 2L diluent bottle (tube weight at the bottom and bottle filled for calibration).

    Conclusion: From the results obtained in this test, we can conclude that dispensing successive doses with the FlexiPump, from a 2-liter bottle of diluent, shows excellent repeatability. There is no drift in dispensing volume as the bottle empties.

  • Dispensing repeatability of 9 mL diluent bag with FlexiPump

    Aim: Evaluate the repeatability of a consecutively dispensed volume, after instrument calibration, from a 2L diluent bag.

    Conclusion: From the results obtained in this test, we can conclude that dispensing successive doses with the FlexiPump, from a diluent bag, shows excellent repeatability. There is no drift in dispensing volume as the bag empties.

  • 50 ML dispensing test with FlexiPump Pro

    Aim: Check the dispensing accuracy of a 50 mL volume with a FlexiPump Pro peristaltic pump, with a dispensing time of less than 4/5 seconds.

    Conclusion: The FlexiPump Pro is accurate for a 50 mL dispense, under the conditions described above. Note that under these conditions, each dispense took 2.7s.

  • Validation of easySpiral/easySpiral Pro plating
    1. Plating validation easySpiral/easyeasySpiral Pro in decreasing exponential mode
      1. Aim: To study the reliability of easySpiral/easySpiral Pro plating in decreasing exponential mode (known as the Spiral method) by carrying out a comparative study with the reference method "manual surface plating" (known as the classic technique).
      2. Conclusion: Our results show a strong correlation (R2 ≥ 0.982) between plating in Spiral mode using the easySpiral and the conventional method. Also, the average difference in log CFU/mL between the two methods is 12 times less than the maximum difference, and therefore not significant.
    2. Cleaning efficiency of easySpiral/easyeasySpiral Pro
      1. Aim: Ensure that the easySpiral/easySpiral Pro stylus is cleaned between each sample run. Check the effectiveness of stylus disinfection by inoculating with sterile diluent.
      2. Conclusion: The study shows that for all six bacterial strains, cleaning in either long or short mode enables disinfection of the stylus and avoids contamination between samples. Three disinfectants were tested: ethanol 70%, bleach 1% and a formulation based on hydrogen peroxide (3%) + peracetic acid (0.08%). Other formulations with slightly different concentrations of H2O2 and APA may also be effective.
  • Scan 1200: performance evaluation

    Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Scan 1200 by comparing manual and automatic counting. For optimal comparison, Petri dishes were plated and incubated in our R&D laboratory, using standard methods to reproduce normal laboratory conditions. The same technician then counted the colonies with a Scan 1200 and manually to obtain results for evaluating the accuracy of the Scan. This document also contains a study of the analysis time per dish and an estimate of the time spent by the laboratories.

    Conclusion: Tests show in a variety of ways (regression line, correlation coefficient, average Log value difference, and ISO 7218:2007) that Scan 1200:
    — Enables faster counting (up to 80% time saving).
    — Counts as well as another user (strong relationship between the 2 methods, with an average difference of 2.35% per dish).

    The Scan 1200 is an excellent tool for laboratories needing to count large numbers of dishes accurately and without wasting time. All results can be saved in specific files (called sessions) which contain all dish photos and counts, guaranteeing analysis quality and perfect traceability.

  • Counting waterborne pathogens with ScanStation, a real-time incubation and counting station. Use of filtration membranes

    Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the ScanStation to count in real time colonies on membrane filtration. Enumeration was performed on waterborne pathogens that have been linked to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Bacterial suspensions were passed through filtration membranes that were deposited on Petri dish. Colonies were manually counted and results were compared with automatic counts performed by the ScanStation.

    Conclusion: ScanStation performs well in counting colonies on filtration membranes in real time. For the seven strains tested, the automatic and manual counts are similar when bacterial suspensions are filtered on white polycarbonate membranes (without grids). For best automatic counts in this case, the recommended light configuration is white background (light from below). This study shows that bacterial colonies can be efficiently counted with ScanStation.

  • Robustness tests on ScanStation

    Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of ScanStation (ISS) by comparing manual and automatic counting of plated samples for robustness counting assessment.

    Conclusion: ScanStation’s robustness tests showed reproducible data under both intra- and inter-machine conditions.

They trust us

Logo - INRAE

Logo - Monsanto

Logo - Naktuinbouw

Logo - Rjik Zwaan

Logo - Syngenta

Logo - Veolia

Logo Ceralim

CERALIM
Independent laboratory
(member of the Réseau France Labo)

Up to three times less of plating and dilutions thanks to the Spiral plating technique

The different applications

Our products are also used for microbiological analyses in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, vetrinary industries and public institutes research.