Colony Counter

Microbial load control is an important part of laboratory diagnostics and sanitary control. In bacteriological studies, the accuracy of counting affects the reliability of conclusions and further decisions. That is why a colony counter is essential equipment in a laboratory. You can order professional equipment from the Empirica online store, which offers a wide range of products.

 

What is a colony counter?

 

A microorganism colony counter is a specialized device designed to accurately determine the number of colonies that have grown on a nutrient medium. After incubation, each Petri dish contains formed colonies, which are clusters of one or a group of microorganisms. Previously, counting was done manually using a marker and visual inspection, which required time and attention. A modern counter speeds up this process. It records each colony and displays the data on a screen or board, ensuring accurate results. The principle of operation is based on analyzing the contrast between the surface of the medium and the formed structure. Thanks to the built-in software, the device is capable of recognizing even small colonies in a standard dish.

 

When are counters needed?

 

The use of such equipment is relevant in clinical diagnostics, the food industry, and scientific research. In microbiology, it is important to determine the concentration of microorganisms in a sample of water, food, or biomaterials. When conducting sanitary control or testing for pathogens, an accurate count of all formations in each dish is required. The manual method increases the risk of error, especially if mixed growth is observed on the surface. An automatic colony counter automates the process, eliminating the subjective factor. The lab technician simply places the dish in the work unit, after which the system performs the analysis and generates the data. Such a device increases productivity and reduces the workload on staff.

 

What options can be ordered from the Empirica online store?

 

SphereFlash is an automatic counter designed for laboratories where high accuracy and speed are required. This device analyzes various types of Petri dishes and is suitable for different methods of microorganism cultivation.

 

A distinctive feature of the model is a spherical chamber with a glare-free lighting system. The light is directed at the inner surface of the chamber, making each colony clearly visible and eliminating reflections. This ensures a stable image and reliable counting. Built-in artificial intelligence allows you to perform analysis with a single click. Even the basic version recognizes a wide range of shapes and sizes. If necessary, detailed reports can be generated, including statistics for several cups. An additional advantage is the Audit Trail, which records every user action. This is important for quality control and compliance with standards. The price of the microorganism colony counter depends on the configuration and software version.

 

The use of automated devices increases accuracy, reduces analysis time, and improves the documentation of results. The choice of modern equipment ensures the stability of the laboratory's work and compliance with quality requirements. A properly selected counter facilitates daily work and makes analysis more reliable and reproducible.