Microbiological Testing Kits

Algae the plant like microorganisms are prolific invaders of the open exposed parts of cooling systems such as the tower and the pond areas. They will grow rapidly if conditions are right and only require light; CO2 and water to synthesize their growth. Algae are often visible as green felt-like mats in internal sections of cooling towers that are wet and accessible to sunlight.

Algal growth is extremely unsightly and will reduce the efficiency of the cooling tower as a heat exchanger. Loosened deposits will block and foul pipe work and other heat exchange surfaces. The dead cells contribute to the formation of the complex organic material Humus which supports the growth of other microorganisms particularly the anaerobic types.

Filamentous and capsulated colonial algae coat splash packing thus interfering with the formation of droplets which aid intimate contact of water and air. Algal growth prevents rainwater from wetting film packing and forming thin films which are Algae also secrete a mucilaginous sheath much like the slime layer in bacteria. The mucilage of the blue-green algae in particular is associated with a peculiar form of movement called gliding that is exhibited when the organism is in contact with a firm surface. These sticky secretions may contribute significantly to complications in cooling systems such as clogged screens and fouled heat exchangers.

Many algae produce within their cells malodorous oils and poisonous cyclic alcohols these are released when the organisms die and may cause foul odours.

How to Use Algrosee

Just cut open media pouch and empty contents into the tube provided. Now add water sample to be tested up to red arrow mark. Place the tube on the Energy source. Observe the colour of the tube every day for 4 days.

The medium used in AlgroSee has been specially formulated for the growth of a wide variety of Algae species viz green bluegreen brown red etc.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) are the commensal of the mammalian intestine bacteria and normally live in the intestines of people and animals. E.coli is also called faecal coli and cause infection in human and animal like diarrhea severe abdominal cramps bloody diarrhea and vomiting. You may be exposed to E.coli from contaminated water or food especially raw vegetables and undercooked ground beef. Presence of E.coli in any material or system or process suggests a low standard of hygiene and sewage contamination. Therefore all drinking water standards both National and International are in terms of E. coli. Viz. ( 0 E.coli in 100 ml of water.) Only E. coli colonies will grow on BACTASLYDE and colonies would be of yellow colour. Since E. coli is the indicator of faecal contamination even a 10 count is alarming as all national and international standards for E.coli are Zero .

The Total Bacterial Count gives a quantitative idea about the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria yeast and mold in a sample. It is also known as Total Viable Count (TVC) Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Heterotrophic Colony Count (HCC) Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Total Plate Count (TPC) or Standard Plate Count (SPC) and it represents the total bacterial load in a given sample. All our range of dip slides enables you to perform the Total Bacterial Count on one side of the slide to reflect the general hygiene condition of a sample.

Iron oxidizing bacteria occur worldwide in fresh water sea and brackish waters. They derive the energy they need to live and multiply by oxidizing dissolved ferrous iron or manganese. Generally most species oxidize ferrous or manganese oxides in there extracellular structures like sheaths or stalks rather than inside their own cells. The resulting oxide is insoluble and appears as yellow brown slime especially in iron bearing waters adhering to stones or water plants or even soil. Problems occur when bacteria build up in well systems and reduce well yields by clogging screens and pipes. They comprise of the various species like Sphaerotillus Leptothrix Crenothrix Gallionella and Siderocapsa. Our BACTASLYDE Test Kit is supplied in boxes of 5 along with the complete instructions set for a complete quantitative analysis of the contamination.

Nirifying bacteria are autotrophic and are responsible for the conversion of Ammonia to Nitrates. These then produce Nitric Acid. Some of the Species can be particularly troublesome in Cooling systems as they form Zoogloea masses of the organisms embedded in slime. Nitrifying Bacterial species are generally found in Fertilizer Industries where the Ammonia ingress in Water is high.

Denitrifying Bacteria work in the reverse way by reducing Nitrates to Nitrites and then to Ammonia. These Bacteria are detrimental to Close Systems where Nitrite based Corrosion Inhibitors are used.

Pseudomonas commonly found in soil or water and is generally in slime form with a consistency range from that of molasses to rubber. It is extremely versatile as it thrives not only in normal atmospheres but also in hypoxic atmospheres and acquires immunity very rapidly to antibiotics. These species are sturdy organisms able to live at very low oxygen tension and difficult to kill. They obtain their energy for living and multiplying either by oxidizing organic compounds or by fermentation. They are more or less free swimming in cooling water and thrive by oxidizing organic substrates to carbon dioxide. It also serves as a biding agent for accumulation of dirt or other organisms and if unchecked can form insulating sticky films on surface where it initiates under deposit corrosion. Pseudomonas is a highly relevant opportunistic human pathogen and has been incriminated in hospital acquired infections in water supplies soaps ice and even disinfectants. Only Pseudomonas species will grow on BACTASLYDE and the colonies would be white off white red or green.

The Total Bacterial Count gives a quantitative idea about the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria yeast and mold in a sample. It is also known as Total Viable Count (TVC) Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Heterotrophic Colony Count (HCC) Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Total Plate Count (TPC) or Standard Plate Count (SPC) and it represents the total bacterial load in a given sample. All our range of dip slides enables you to perform the Total Bacterial Count on one side of the slide to reflect the general hygiene condition of a sample.

Salmonella bacteria are zoonotic and can be transferred between humans and other animals. These are intestinal pathogens and are cause for many diseases viz. typhoid paratyphoid food poisoning etc. Classic typhoid fever is a serious and life-threatening infection which has a mortality approaching 20%. Cases of enteric fever almost always occur from the ingestion of contaminated food or water. These bacteria can survive for some time without a host for weeks outside a living body and they are not destroyed by freezing. They are frequently found in polluted water contamination from the excrement of carrier animals being particularly important. This organism enters through the digestive tract due to ingestion of contaminated food. The food infection is generally thru eating or handling contaminated raw or not properly cooked meat of cattle swine poultry fish etc. FDA has laid down mandatory testing norms to control risk of salmonella contamination in foodstuff like spices fish and eggs etc. BACTASLYDE is supplied in boxes of 5 along with the complete instructions set for a complete quantitative analysis of the contamination.

Staphylococcus species are found on the skin and hair of a large proportion of the population and are the common cause of pyogenic infections and food poisoning. They spread through various housekeeping activities generally in domestic environment and in hospitals. Infection in food can occur through workers from infected cuts abrasions boil or from nasal carriers. Foods with high salt content are generally contaminated with staphylococcus species like meat ham synthetic cream sauces fresh fish canned f and cheeses especially cheddar. Staphylococci produce several enterotoxins which can withstand high temperature. Many species of staphylococcus are pathogenic and cause food poisoning diarrhea and prostration while the other make useful indicators of sewage pollution. Foods especially the high salt content ones are contaminated with staphylococcus species viz. meats synthetic cream and sauces fresh fish and canned vegetables and cheeses. Staphylococci produce several enterotoxins which withstand heating at 1000C for 30 min. BACTASLYDE is supplied in boxes of 5 along with the complete instructions set for a complete quantitative analysis of the contamination.

Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) are those bacteria that can obtain energy by oxidizing organic compounds or molecular hydrogen while reducing sulfate to hydrogen sulfide. They are also know as Sulfide Generating Bacteria (SGB) and commonly found in anaerobic environments where they aid in the degradation of organic materials like secondary oil recovery effluents estuarine waters deep wells cooling waters metalworking fluids water-based hydraulic fluids and petroleum based products. They can survive up to 600 DegC and cause pitting corrosion on metal structures that are exposed to sulfate-containing water by cathodic depolarization. They also play a role in the anaerobic oxidation of methane below the seabed in the transition zone which leads to heavy production loss.

Since sulfate is also found in some formulations of or the other used in water treatment viz corrosion inhibitors coolants etc. Sulfate acts as a hydrogen acceptor produces hydrogen sulfide and ferrous sulfide. These together form a malodorous black slime. In some case bubbles of H2S rise though the water and cause objectionable odors. The corrosion of iron by sulfate reducing bacteria is rapid and unlike ordinary rusting is not self limiting. Our specially developed test kit with a unique 10ml sample size gives a much detailed quantitative analysis of the SRB count in a sample. BACTASLYDE SRB is supplied in boxes of 5 along with the complete instructions set for a complete quantitative analysis of the contamination.

Vibrio cholera is the causative agent of cholera that occurs naturally in water and transmitted primarily through faeces and sewage polluted drinking water and food. Earlier cholera was found in practically all major cities of the world especially in places with ineffective sanitation and where not much is done to prevent pollution of food and water. However after consistent vigilance by both National and International health authorities all over the world and with sanitary engineering of sewage disposal and water supplies the scourge of mankind has been brought under much control. But it is still found in fish and shellfish produce or leftover cooked grains. Marine and estuarine fishes are the most susceptible medium and it is usually most severe in marine culture and fish farms. BACTASLYDE is supplied in boxes of 5 along with the complete instructions set for a complete quantitative analysis of the contamination.

Yeast are unicellular fungi which are used to make bread and other wheat-based products such as dough and dumplings. Also they are useful in production of alcoholic beverages through fermentation. Almost all species of yeasts and fungi grow on BACTASLYDE and there growth may consist either purely of yeasts or purely of fungi or may be mixed.

Fungi are aerobic and commonly occur in nature especially in places which are damp where organic matter and oxygen are present. They produce vast numbers of spores and grow continuously without regards to size and shape. Several fungi are domesticated species that are bred or selected according to their capacity to ferment food without producing harmful toxins.

The Total Bacterial Count gives a quantitative idea about the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria yeast and mold in a sample. It is also known as Total Viable Count (TVC) Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Heterotrophic Colony Count (HCC) Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Total Plate Count (TPC) or Standard Plate Count (SPC) and it represents the total bacterial load in a given sample. All our range of dip slides enables you to perform the Total Bacterial Count on one side of the slide to reflect the general hygiene condition of a sample.