𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 This passive sampling method involves placing plates with growth media in critical areas to collect airborne microbes that settle from the environment. It’s typically done in controlled environments like cleanrooms.
𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 This active sampling technique uses an air sampler to pull a specific volume of air through or onto a growth media to capture and quantify airborne microorganisms. It’s especially useful in identifying contamination levels in air.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 Contact plates, or surface sampling, use plates with growth media to monitor microorganisms on surfaces by directly applying the plate to areas like equipment and walls to check for microbial contamination on surfaces.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 This test ensures that compressed air and nitrogen used in production or packaging are free from microbial contaminants. Sampling these gases can be done by releasing them onto an agar plate which is then incubated to detect any microbial growth.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐛 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 The Finger Dab method is used to monitor microbial contamination on gloves in controlled environments. Personnel press their gloved fingers onto a contact plate with growth media after completing tasks in sterile areas. The plate is then incubated, and any microbial growth is counted to assess contamination. This ensures personnel adhere to aseptic practices, preventing contamination in critical areas.
