AMSL Scientific CompactDry Total Count Rapid (TCR)

Next-day results are available with CompactDry TCR for total viable counts — an easy-to-use, ready-to-rehydrate, dry medium for food, raw materials, water and environmental testing. Enabling users to skip tedious prep, the medium can deliver total viable counts or aerobic counts in food, raw materials, water or environment after only 24 hours incubation (for rapid results) and 48 hours incubation for more conventional results.

Plates are pre-infused with the culture media, so minimal training is required. The portable, compact and lightweight design allows unlimited stacking of samples in the incubator without compromising growth of target microorganisms. The product is robust enough to avoid spills or contamination pre- or post-inoculation, and can be stored at room temperature with a long shelf life of 18–36 months.

To use CompactDry, the technician simply inoculates, incubates and interprets. The first step of the process is inoculation, with automatic and even sample diffusion eliminating the need for a spreader. There is no need for media preparation, gelling time or sterilisation.

The second step is incubation, with results in 24 or 48 hours. The product has high correlation (r= 0.98, N=136) at 24 hours compared with the conventional method (plate count agar after 48 hours).

The third step is interpretation, with clear colour development by redox indicator making red colonies stand out.