Rapid methods for environmental monitoring

Hi All,

We conduct a routine environmental micro checks by exposing agar plates for 20 min in a product (low risk product) filling cabinets and incubate the plates for 3 days. If the plate micro counts more or TNTC (doesn’t happen very often) after incubating for 3 days, what happens to the product which has been packed in those 3 days. I would like to know is there any alternative method available (other than swabbing) to check the micro load in air in less than 3 days?

Thank you in advance.

Hi All,

 

We conduct a routine environmental micro checks by exposing agar plates for 20 min in a product (low risk product) filling cabinets and incubate the plates for 3 days. If the plate micro counts more or TNTC (doesn’t happen very often) after incubating for 3 days, what happens to the product which has been packed in those 3 days. I would like to know is there any alternative method available (other than swabbing) to check the micro load in air in less than 3 days?

 

Thank you in advance.

Are you are talking about aerobic plate count or Y&M or ?

What is yr acceptable limit ?

IIRC Australia's Standard method for food APC (3 days) takes longer than most other Countries (2 days).

The result can depend on the specific Procedure.

it is about Y+M and bacteria. THe acceptable limit is 100 cfu

it is about Y+M and bacteria. THe acceptable limit is 100 cfu

Hi avi,

I think this has been discussed here before, somewhere.

3M offer plate count in 24 hours but Y&M is still slow, eg -

https://www.3m.com/3...93303854&rt=rud

("environmental" samples are mentioned including air, need to download the details)

similarly for yeast and mould -

https://www.3m.com/3...93784879&rt=rud

(48 hours)

Procedure acceptability may depend on yr customer, etc of course.