Microbiology: Bioburden Testing - Hospital & Clinical

Test for Microbial Contamination Using Membrane Filtration

Membrane filtration is the standard test method for microbial contamination in liquids. The test sample is filtered through a microporous membrane, allowing the retention of any microbial contamination on top of the membrane. Rinsing removes residual product that might inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Once the sample is filtered, nutrient medium is added to promote growth of microorganisms for recovery.

Perform Efficient Routine Testing with Ease

Microfil Filtration Devices, EZ-Pak Membranes, and EZ-Pak Membrane Dispenser: Disposable, stackable, light, recyclable plastic Microfil funnels eliminate autoclaving and minimize waste. The Microfil manifold contains a unique feature that lifts the membrane after filtration for easy removal with forceps. EZ-Pak Membranes are ready-to-use, sterile, individually packaged membranes with unique handling ease. Simply press the lever on the EZ-Pak Membrane Dispenser to unpack and dispense one sterile membrane.

Microfil V Filtration Devices: These sterilized, ready-to-use filtration devices require no assembly, cleanup, or autoclaving. Unlike the Microfil Filtration Devices, the Microfil V Filtration Devices have a pre-assembled membrane and do not require sterilization of a manifold between tests. They are designed to conform to the international standards for drinking water testing. Microfil V devices ensure uniform recovery of microorganisms by preventing sample bypass, repelling bacteria from the walls of the filter, and facilitating uniform contact between the filter and the surface of the medium.

Samplers: Millipore’s Samplers simplify routine testing of dialysis and dental water by eliminating the cumbersome techniques associated with traditional testing that require equipment not typically found in a dialysis center or dental office. There is no media to mix, no agar plates to prepare, and nothing to sterilize or clean. Testing is an easy three-step process: dip the tester to filter the sample, incubate, and count the resulting colonies. Compact and convenient, the Samplers are pre-sterilized, packaged, and ready-to-use. The type of dehydrated nutrient agar contained in the Sampler determines the type of bacteria you can detect:

HPC Sampler (red), containing mHPC medium, tests for “stressed” aerobic bacteria (i.e., partially sanitized or nutritionally starved).
Total Count Sampler (white), containing TGY medium, tests for non-stressed aerobic bacteria.

Dental offices typically test water with the HPC Sampler. Dialysis centers usually test water with both the HPC Sampler and the Total Count Sampler.

Milliflex Filtration Units: These sterilized, ready-to-use filtration devices have twice the filtration area of standard 47mm membranes used with a Microfil funnel. This larger filtration area permits faster filtration. After filtration, you can break off the funnel from the membrane-containing part of the unit. We offer liquid media and pre-sterilized empty liquid media cassettes to use with these filtration units.

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