5 replies to this topic

[Gelato Quality Lead]

Hi everyone,

 

We would like to begin daily APC testing but have the issue of our current aerobic plate count petrifilm plates from 3M taking 48 hours to incubate. If we test on Thursday or Friday, someone will need to come in on the weekend to remove the plates from the incubator, which we would like to avoid since we operate M-F. 

 

I was wondering if there exists a method for APC testing that incubates for a longer span of time so that when we are back from the weekend, the plates can then be removed from the incubator. 

 

Thank you!

[Charles.C]

Hi everyone,

 

We would like to begin daily APC testing but have the issue of our current aerobic plate count petrifilm plates from 3M taking 48 hours to incubate. If we test on Thursday or Friday, someone will need to come in on the weekend to remove the plates from the incubator, which we would like to avoid since we operate M-F. 

 

I was wondering if there exists a method for APC testing that incubates for a longer span of time so that when we are back from the weekend, the plates can then be removed from the incubator. 

 

Thank you!

Hi GQS,

 

It all depends on what you are doing,eg Product and Product micro. Standard.

 

Standard Options exist for (inter alia)  incubation times of ca 24 hrs, 48hrs, 5days.

[Scampi]

could you not refrigerate and put in the incubator on Monday?  

[G M]

You could also change the incubator, not the plates.  With a sufficiently sophisticated/programable incubator cycle you can grow for your standard 48h then switch into cold storage mode indefinitely.  Or the reverse, store cold for X hours then rise to a grow temp.

[Charles.C]

You could also change the incubator, not the plates.  With a sufficiently sophisticated/programable incubator cycle you can grow for your standard 48h then switch into cold storage mode indefinitely.  Or the reverse, store cold for X hours then rise to a grow temp.

Hi GM,

 

I'm guessing you mean something like this -

 

https://bioevopeak.c...ing-incubators/

 

I suspect this Procedure may yield some intriguing data inasmuch as IMEX incubators are incapable of rapid temperature changes. 

Maybe feasible but some Validatory work probably necessary. + Expensive ?

 

One customary, practical, snag is that IMEX product micro. count specs are referenced to specific Procedures and invariably to a fixed temperature. Longer incubation times are typically associated with lowered incubator temperatures (eg Australia),

[G M]

The expense might be less in the long run than paying overtime for someone to come in on the weekend to read plates for the expected service life of the incubator, or maintaining two sets of plates with one only being used one day a week.

Edited by G M, 20 October 2022 - 02:52 PM.