Microbial Growth Testing

Microbiological contamination refers to the unintended introduction of microorganisms or microbes, such as bacteria, yeast, mold, fungi, and/or their by-products, into a given environment, solution, or product.

Considerations and Limitations of Microbial Growth Testing
Maintain a clean work environment	Any tools, reactants, and work environments that pose a risk to contaminating samples within the microbial growth test should be cleaned and monitored prior to use.
Quality of reactants	High quality reactants should always be used. High-quality water free of microbial contamination, endotoxins, proteases, and nucleases is essential in receiving accurate results.

Considerations and Limitations of Microbial Growth Testing

Maintain a clean work environment

Any tools, reactants, and work environments that pose a risk to contaminating samples within the microbial growth test should be cleaned and monitored prior to use.

Quality of reactants

High quality reactants should always be used. High-quality water free of microbial contamination, endotoxins, proteases, and nucleases is essential in receiving accurate results.

Preparation of testing facilities and tools
Agar and Media	Any agar or media plates should be stored at 2-8°C in a clean, dark place prior to use. This will minimize risk of contamination and growth.
Biological Safety Cabinets	Before a Biological Safety Cabinet is used, it must be wiped down with bleach/EtOH or Isopropanol, and UV light should be left on for at least an hour with clean air circulation.
Incubators	Any incubators used for microbial growth should be clean and can be sanitized by spraying/wiping with ethanol or isopropanol.

Preparation of testing facilities and tools

Any agar or media plates should be stored at 2-8°C in a clean, dark place prior to use. This will minimize risk of contamination and growth.

Biological Safety Cabinets

Before a Biological Safety Cabinet is used, it must be wiped down with bleach/EtOH or Isopropanol, and UV light should be left on for at least an hour with clean air circulation.

Any incubators used for microbial growth should be clean and can be sanitized by spraying/wiping with ethanol or isopropanol.

Considerations and Limitations of Microbial Growth Testing
Maintain a clean work environment	Any tools, reactants, and work environments that pose a risk to contaminating samples within the microbial growth test should be cleaned and monitored prior to use.
Quality of reactants	High quality reactants should always be used. High-quality water free of microbial contamination, endotoxins, proteases, and nucleases is essential in receiving accurate results.