Scigiene MF1321 Rapid Aerobic Count Plate RAC User Manual

Scigiene MF1321 Rapid Aerobic Count Plate RAC

Specifications

• Product Name: MicroFast Rapid Aerobic Count Plate (RAC)
• Model : MF1321
• Function : Enumeration of aerobic bacteria in food and environmental samples
• Certifications : ISO 9001 for design and manufacturing

Product Usage Instructions

Warnings & Precautions:

• Train staff on testing methods
• Avoid touching the culture area of the medium
• Ensure accuracy by following instructions carefully

User Responsibility:

Sample Preparation:
Prepare the sample suspension according to the recommended procedures.

1. Operation Procedure:
2. Open the aluminum foil bag and place the MicroFast Plate on a flat, level surface.
3. Lift the top film without touching the test area.
4. Dispense 1 mL of sample suspension onto the center of the plate using a pipette.
5. Storage Condition:

Store the plate in a dark place at room temperature before and after use.

• Incubation: Incubate the plate according to specified time and temperature requirements.
• Interpretation: Follow the provided guidelines to interpret colony growth on the plate for accurate results.

Introduction

MicroFast Rapid Aerobic Count Plate (RAC) is a sample-ready-culture medium system. It uses innovative technologies such as rapid diffusion systems and new-generation microbial coloration to achieve rapid proliferation and interpretation of colonies, greatly improving the detection efficiency in the laboratory. The plate contains the prefabricated type of medium, cold-water gel and indicators. It is intended for the enumeration of aerobic bacteria in food and environment samples. Certified to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 for design and manufacturing.

WARNINGS &PRECAUTIONS

• The user should read, understand, and follow all safety information in the instructions before use.
• The MicroFast Count Plate should be disposed of following procedures for infectious or potentially infectious products. User should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including, but not limited to, protective disposable gloves, laboratory coats, and eye protection when handling samples and kit reagents. Wash hands thoroughly aher handling specimens and reagents. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to handle waste and effluents produced according to their type and degree of hazardousness and to treat and dispose of them (or have them treated and disposed of) in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Strict compliance with BSL-2 practices should be followed.
• Follow all product storage guidelines included in the insert. Do not use after the expiration date.
• MicroFast Count Plate testing should be done in a professionally equipped laboratory under the supervision of a skilled microbiologist. The user must train its staff on the current testing methods.
• MicroFast Count Plates have not been reported for application in industries other than food and environmental samples. Use within the suggested scope.
• The counting results of MicroFast Count Plates may not be the same as agar.
• MicroFast Count Plate have not been evaluated with all possible food products, food processes, testing protocols or with all possible microorganism strains.
• As a general precaution, clean the workstations with the disinfectant of choice (e.g., sodium hypochlorite solution, phenol solution, quaternary ammonium solution) before and after, in addition to having work areas separated for the following: media preparation, sample preparation, and indicator organism enumeration. Gloves and other personal protective equipment should always be used.
• Count plate may contain microorganisms that may be a potential biohazard. Follow current industry standards for disposal. Keep the count plate away from ultraviolet, direct sunlight and fluorescent lamp.
• Do not use the polluted or damped count plate.
• If the pH of the test sample is too high or too low, it will affect the accuracy of the test results. When uncovering the film, do not touch the culture area of the medium.
• If there are too many colonies, the detection of positive strains might be affected.
• The count plate may show a few needle-like black spots, which is normal and does not affect the interpretation of the target strain.
• If the sample is viscous, diffusion can be aided manually.
• When pipetting samples, do not touch culture area.

Limitation of Warranties

Accurate results depend on the proper use of the kit by following the instructions for use carefully. If the kit fails to perform according to specification, please contact your sales representative of Science.

Limitation of Scigiene Liability

Scigiene will not be liable for any loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits, in no event shall Scigiene’s liability under any legal theory exceed the purchase price of the product alleged to be defective.

User Responsibility

Users are responsible for becoming acquainted with product instructions and information. For further information, please contact your local Scigiene dealer or distributor. When choosing a test method, please note that external factors such as sampling methods, testing protocols, sample preparation, handling, and laboratory technique can all have an impact on the results. When selecting a test method or product, it is the user’s duty to assess a sufficient number of samples with the proper matrices and microbiological challenges to ensure that the chosen test method meets the user’ s criteria. It is also the user’s obligation to ensure that any test methods and results fulfill the criteria of its customers/suppliers. Results acquired from the use of any Scigiene product, like any other method, cannot guarantee the quality of the tested matrices or processes.

Sample Preparation

1. Use appropriate sterile diluents:

2. For raw and cured meat, vegetables, and seafood — 50 g portions of the sample is added to 450 mL of Butterfield’s Phosphate Buffer(or sterile saline) diluent.

3. For dairy products — take 11 mL of sample and add 99 mL parts of Butterfield’s Phosphate Buffer (or sterile saline) diluent.

4. Forstainlesssteelsurface-ssponge-pre-moistened with 10 mL of BPBD can be used to sample each 100 cm2 test area by using firm and even pressure 10 times diagonally, vertically, and horizontally. After sampling, sponges were returned to the bags and held atroom temperature (20 °C -25 °C) for a maximum of two hours. A 90 mL volume of BPBD can be added.
   Note: do not use diluents containing citrate, bisulfite or thiosulphate with MicroFast plates as they could inhibit growth.

5. Blend or homogenize the sample completely with 1 part sample and 9 parts diluent (1:10 dilution scheme).

   • For optimal growth and recovery of microorganisms, the pH of the sample suspension should be adjusted to pH 6.5-7.5.
   • For acidic products, adjust the pH with 1N NaOH.
   • For alkaline products, adjust the pH with 1N HCL

6. Prepare decimal dilutions ofthe homogenized sample solution by transferring 1 mL ofthe homogenized solution to a tube containing 9 mL of sterile diluent and mix completely. Based on sample type, select 2 or 3 suitable diluted sample solutions that will result in the countable range for the MicroFast plate type being achieved.

Operation Procedure

1. Open the aluminum foil bag and place the MicroFast Plate on a flat, level surface.
2. Lift the top film whilst supporting the plate without touching the test area.
3. With the pipette vertical to the inoculation surface, dispense 1 mL of sample suspension onto the center of the bottom film.
4. Drop the top film down slowly onto the sample and avoid generating bubbles.
5. After the top film is dropped down, avoid any movement of top film.
6. Place the MicroFast Spreader at the center of the count plate.
7. Press gently on the MicroFast Spreader to distribute the sample evenly.
8. Remove the MicroFast Spreader and leave the plate for at least 2 minutes to allow the gel to form.
9. Place upward and incubate (No more than 20 pieces overlapped) at 36 °C 1 1 °C.

Incubation

Incubate MicroFast plates in a horizontal position with the film upwards (top plate downwards) in stacks of no more than 20. Culture at 36 °C 1 1 °C for 24 h 1 1 h.

Interpretation

1. MicroFast plates can be counted visually using a standard colony counter or another illuminated magnifier. Count all BLUE and RED colonies regardless of size or intensity.
2. The approximate size of the circular growth area is 24 cm2. Estimates can be made on MicroFast Plates containing between 30 – 300 colonies by counting the number of colonies in the circular growth area. When there is obvious colony dispersion, a mass of dispersion is recorded as 1 CFU.
3. Alternatively, estimates can be made on MicroFast plates containing greater than 300 colonies by counting the number of colonies in two or more representative squares and determining the average number per square. Multiply the average number by 24 to determine the estimated count per plate.
4. High concentrations of colonies on the MicroFast plates will cause the entire growth area to become red or pink or blue and appear discolored. Record this result as too numerous to count (TNTC).
5. Where a count is required, evaluate the performance of the next dilution. If there are obvious colonies in the next dilution and within the optimal counting range, they should be counted and recorded.
6. If there is no colony count, the count plate might have either been contaminated or the sample matrix has negatively influenced microbial growth on the count plate.

Storage Condition

1. The shelf life of the count plate is 18 months. Use up within the shelf life. The lot number can be found on the pouch.
2. The count plate components are sterilized. The unopened count plate should be stored at 2 °C- 8 °C. Equilibrate the count plate to room temperature before use.
3. After unseating, stick the pouch with adhesive tape or seal it with a sealing clip, store it in the dark at room or ambient temperature 15 °C -25 °C, and use it up within one month.
4. When transporting or short-term storage, store the count plate at room temperature.

1295 Morningside Avenue, Unit 16-18 Scarborough, ON M1B 424 Canada

• Phone : 416-261-4865
• Fax : 416-261-7879
• www.scigiene.com

FAQ

Q: What should I do if the kit fails to perform as expected?
A: Contact your sales representative of Scigiene for assistance.

Q: What are the storage recommendations for the MicroFast Plate?
A: Store the plate in a dark place at room temperature before and after use to maintain product integrity.

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