Swabs

The SwabCheck Prinicipal

The surface is wiped with a cellulose swab and any bacteria collected are transferred via the swab into a tube containing a special medium with an indicator dye; this is then incubated. Even a single bacterium is sufficient to cause a colour change. This means that SwabChecks are about 1000 times more sensitive than the conventional ATP method. This accuracy is particularly important in the food industry. With this simple method it is possible to identify microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes which must not be present at any concentration in food and beverages.

Features and Benefits
 

• The right test for each type of contamination
• Qualitative and semi-quantitative hygiene control
• Sterile packed and ready-for-use
• Easy to handle
• Rapid results
• Long shelf-life

SwabCheck Wipe Away

Handling is easy. Open the sterile pack, remove the swab and wipe it over an area of about 10 x 10 cm. Then twist off the cap of the medium tube and insert the swab so that the cap fits tightly. Label the sample tube and incubate at appropriate temperature.

A change in colour indicates the presence of the microorganism in question. The quicker the colour change occurs, the higher the initial loading. If no colour change has been observed after the maximum incubation period has elapsed then the corresponding microorganism is not present. Whatman offers the SwabChecks in packs of 25 pieces. Shelf life of 12 months.
 

> Neutralising Buffer Swabs

Neutralizing Buffer Swabs

Neutralizing buffer swabs are used in the monitoring of surfaces for total bacterial count. Neutralizing buffer inactivates the bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of chlorine and quaternary ammonium detergents. However, neutralizing buffer exhibits no toxic effects on microorganisms. This permits the transfer of swabbed organisms to the laboratory without loss in viability. Neutralizing buffer is not designed to culture and enumerate microorganisms.

Buffer Swabs

Used for the collection of surface contamination from flat or convoluted surfaces prior to transport to a laboratory for culture and enumeration. Buffer swabs contain no bacteriostatic or bactericidal compounds and cannot suppress the action of detergents

SwabCheck

Used as an indication of hygiene on contact surfaces. SwabCheck changes colour from purple to yellow. The colour change is based an acid reaction with the indicator. The more rapid the colour changes the higher the level of bacteria in the sample. SwabCheck is useful in determining the sanitation levels of preparation surfaces, filling ports and processing areas in beverage and food processing plants, dairies, restaurants and healthcare facilities.

ColiCheck

Used for the presumptive identification of coliforms in water samples by a presence/absence technique. Bromocresol purple is a pH indicator which demonstrates a colour change from purple to yellow in the presence of acid. Lactose fermenting organisms produce acid which initiates the colour change. The presence of coliforms is detected with greater sensitivity by use of a relatively large sample volume (100 ml) in a single bottle. Yellow colour in the sample after 24 hours incubation at 35º C indicates the presence of coliform organisms. A red sample after 24 hour incubation at 35º C should be incubated for further 24 hours. A red sample at 48 hours incubation at 35º C indicates no coliform organisms present in the sample.

ColiCheck with MUG

Used for the presumptive identification of coliforms and the determination of the presence of Escherichia coli in water samples by a presence/absence technique. The addition of MUG (4-Methylumbellifryl- â-D-glucuronide) which is a fluorogenic enzyme allows the media to selectively identify Escherichia coli. MUG is hydrolyzed by the Escherichia coli specific enzyme â-glucuronidase to release 4-Methylumbelliferone which fluoresces under ultraviolet light (approx. 366 nm wavelength). Yellow colour in the sample after 24 hours incubation at 35º C indicates the presence of coliform organisms. A red sample after 24 hour incubation at 35º C should be incubated for further 24 hours. A red sample at 48 hours incubation at 35º C indicates no coliform organisms present in the sample. Fluorescence under ultraviolet light is specific for the presence of Escherichia coli.

Coliform SwabCheck

Escherichia coli and Coliforms are traditionally used as indicator organisms for fecal contamination in water and other environmental samples. Detection of these organisms usually points to poor hygiene at some stage in the production process or pollution of water at source. The presence of coliforms is indicated by a colour change from red to yellow. The more rapid the colour changes the higher the level of coliform bacteria.
 

Hygiene SwabCheck

Easy to use: The Hygiene SwabCheck shows an obvious colour change from red to yellow. The time taken for this change is an indication of the level of contamination. This should be used in conjunction with known specification levels of your process/product. Rapid screening hygiene test is a same day test which will detect gross bacterial and fungal contamination of work surfaces, equipment machinery or other sampling sites.
 

Listeria SwabCheck

Listeria Isolation SwabCheck is designed to be used alongside traditional selective methods to improve the quality system and minimize the risk of Listeria contamination. This simple to use diagnostic test can be applied anywhere in the environment and on foodstuffs where the presence of Listeria species would be critical. Listeria sp and specifically Listeria monocytogenes are rapidly becoming the most important pathogen in the food industry; regulatory bodies from around the world are insisting that all food products are Listeria free. Listeria Isolation SwabCheck works on an enhanced Esculin media formulation. The hydrolysis of esculin gives a distinctive black/brown precipitate. Inhibitors and antibiotics are present in the media which will inhibit the growth of non-Listeria species.

SwabCheck Escherichia coli

Used for the detection of Escherichia coli on surfaces. The presence of fluorescence using a long-wave UV light source confirms the presnce of Escherichia coli, and any further confirmation is not required. MUG detects anaerogenic strain which may not be detected in the conventional procedure. Lactose is a source of energy. Casein peptone provides additional nutrients. The mixture of bile salts is inhibiting for gram-positive bacteria, particularly bacilli and fecal streptococci. The substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-B-D-glucuronide is hydrolyzed by an enzyme, B-glucuronidase, possessed by most Escherichia coli and a few strains of Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia, to produce a fluorescent end product, 4-methylumbelliferone. The presence of Escherichia coli is detected by the appearance of fluorescence throughout the tube.

Total Count Swab Kit

Used for the non-selective development and enumeration of all aerobic bacteria on surfaces in accordance with HACCP. The kit includes the swabs and culture medium, packaged with a membrane device, providing a quantitative result. All bacteria develop on TGE media and produce a range of different coloured and sized colonies. It is not possible using TGE to presumptively identify any bacteria. Identification can only be undertaken using traditional microbiology techniques following initial colony development.

> Yeast & Mold Swab Kit

Yeast & Mold Swab Kit

Used for the enumeration of yeast and molds on surfaces in accordance with HACCP. The kit includes the swabs and culture medium, packaged with a membrane device, providing a quantitative result. M-Green yeast and mold is an improved modification of the liquid medium, m-Yeast and Mold Broth and was developed to improve efficiency of detection and enumeration of fungi in sugar based drinks using the membrane filtration method. This medium has a low pH, which inhibits bacterial growth. The addition of bromocresol green, which diffuses into fungal colonies as an alkaline reaction, allows them to be easily identified. Metabolic by-products from the developing colonies diffuse into the surrounding medium, further reducing the pH which aids in the inhibition of bacterial growth, but also produces an acid reaction which causes residual bromocresol green to change to yellow. Green opaque colonies against a yellow background are indicative of the growth of yeasts. Mold colonies are green and filamentous.

> Polywipe Sponge

Polywipe Sponge

Used for the recovery of microorganisms from a surface. Polywipe sponge is a specifically selected blue sponge that is pre-moistened with neutralizing buffer to neutralize the effects of surface disinfectants. The sponge material is selected to be free of the preservatives found in commercially available sponges which can inhibit microorganism growth. Polywipe sponges are biocide free and tested for zero toxicity to microorganisms. Each sponge is individually wrapped in a peel pouch and gamma irradiated to ensure sterility. Each box of 50 sponges are packed with 50 sterile gloves to allow aseptic handling and 50 sterile sampling bags to allow the sponge to be hydrated.
 

For more information :: Bioxys and Gentaur BVBA :: Av. de l'Armée 68 B4 :: BE-1040 BELGIUM

Email: info@gentaur.com
 

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Last modified: feb-07