Public Safety at the Core of Membrane Filtration Testing

September 2022

It can be easy to take for granted that water is safe to drink and consumable goods on supermarket shelves are free from harmful pathogens. Behind the scenes, however, routine microbiological testing is key to keeping the public safe.

One of the most established forms of microbial contamination testing is membrane filtration, particularly in water applications. The principle is simple – the membrane acts as a filter with tiny pores that capture microorganisms from the sample when it is poured through. The membrane is then incubated on an agar plate where bacterial colonies can grow and be examined.

Besides testing for water, this form of microbiological testing can be applied to food and beverage, pharmaceutical and even cosmetic manufacturing to check the presence of unwanted microorganisms that could be dangerous to consumer health.

As testing for microbial contamination is a vital step in the environmental safety workflow, Thermo Fisher Scientific has partnered with globally recognised brand Sartorius to supply reliable membrane filtration products.

Due to the implications that contaminated water or manufactured products can have on public health, the accuracy of microbial analysis needs to be guaranteed. It is critical that these are compliant with appropriate regulations and that tests are reproducible to ensure reliability.

With over 90 years’ experience in providing quality lab equipment, the Sartorius Microsart® line of membrane filtration products offer ease-of-use, dependability and are compliant with all international standards. The ready-to-use sterile Microsart@filter units comprise of a funnel, filter base and gridded membrane filter so that it’s just a few steps from sampling to incubation.

These filter units – which are ideal for sample volumes of up to 100ml – have been designed for the detection and enumeration of microorganisms in water and liquids, as well as food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

The enhanced design of the Microsart@filter unit enables optimal sealing to the base with the ‘Click-Fit’ closure. They are also designed so that no liquid is retained in the filter funnel. Additionally, thorough rinsing of the system after filtration can be performed effortlessly.

Customers can benefit from both Thermo Fisher Scientific’s expertise and the supply of Sartorius’s microbiological quality control products to improve the safety of processes. All components of the Sartorius membrane filtration system comply with international guidelines including USP, EP and ISO standards.

Microsart@filter product highlights:

• Safe and reliable – all Microsart products meet stringent quality assurance standards, providing dependable, reproducible results.
• Sterile packaging– Sterilisation at the point of use is not required.
• Disposable base and funnel – Preparation is a sterilisation-free procedure, reducing risk of secondary contamination.
• Optimised design – No liquid remains after filtration, eliminating the need for rinsing. Filter units are available as tray versions with lids or stacked in bags for safe removal using Microsart Funnel Dispenser.
• Optimal sealing – Sealing to Microsart Base 47mm is guaranteed with Click-Fit closure.
• Easy to handle – The Click-Fit closure is fast for routine analysis and eliminates leakage.

For more information or to order these products, visit Thermo Fisher Scientific Microsart