RAPID DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF CONTAMINANTS BY ATP BIOLUMINESCENCE USING THE MILLIFLEX® RAPID MICROBIOLOGY DETECTION AND ENUMERATION SYSTEM

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Milliflex® Rapid Microbiology Detection and Enumeration System (RMDS) is an automated platform developed for the rapid detection of microbial contaminants in filterable samples. Based on membrane filtration, adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence and image analysis, RMDS gives microorganism enumeration a detection time reduced by a factor of four compared to plate count. After sample filtration and incubation step, a universal lysis solution and bioluminescence reagent are automatically sprayed across the membrane. The membrane is then analyzed in a detection tower where light emission is captured by a charged coupled device camera. Data collected are treated, directly providing a result in colony‐forming units. RMDS sensitivity is one cell and is equivalent to traditional microbiology. Rapid detection of bacteria, mixed bacteria and yeast was performed in various industrial samples. RMDS allowed rapid detection of contaminants in different simple and complex matrices such as water, tea, wine and mammalian cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe Milliflex® Rapid Microbiology Detection and Enumeration System (RMDS) is used to detect and enumerate microorganisms in filterable samples with time to detection in hours.The easy handling of this detection platform enables its use in all kinds of industries from food and beverage industries to biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries where procedures and method validation are stricter. One application is the use of RMDS for purified water testing and rinsing water. Rapid enumeration of contaminants will improve the quality control analysis of industrial products. Rapid release of samples will result in the optimization of manufacturing and product testing, allowing high throughput and simultaneous analysis during the process.