Merck Millipore EZ-product family for microbiological workflow

Merck Millipore has added three products to its EZ-product family, which is designed to facilitate microbiology workflow in quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) laboratories. The family now includes the EZ-Fluo rapid detection system, a non-destructive, fluorescent staining-based system for microbial detection; the EZ-fit Manifold for contamination-free laboratory filtration; and the EZ-Pak Dispenser Curve for fast, sterile membrane dispensing.

The EZ-Fluo rapid detection system reduces time to result by approximately 2/3 of that required by traditional methods, allowing contamination events to be identified sooner and enabling better control of the manufacturing process. The system uses standard membrane filtration to detect viable and culturable bacteria, yeasts and moulds down to 1 CFU per sample.

Test results are easily comparable to compendial method test results, which facilitates validation and integration of the system. The method is non-destructive, allowing growth of microorganisms after they have been stained in order to identify them using any standard identification technology. This is an advantage compared to other rapid test systems which cannot identify microorganisms using the same sample that was tested to detect the contamination.

The EZ-Fit Manifold filtration system enables universal laboratory filtration, while minimising contamination risks. Traditional filtration equipment for water and other liquids contains non-accessible areas where biofilms can form from sample residues, increasing the risk of contamination. The product allows access to easily clean all internal areas in order to ensure the filtration process is contamination free.

The EZ-Pak Dispenser Curve provides high-speed sterile membrane dispensing with no-touch operation. Unlike other dispenser systems, the product’s design allows for quick and easy membrane loading in less than 30 s, making lab personnel more efficient.