Instead of using traditional culture media that are time-consuming and labour-intensive, laboratories today are moving to the ready-to-use media plate solution – a modern tool that helps optimise the testing process and increases the reliability of results.
🧫 The shift from traditional methods to ready-to-use media plates
- Traditional testing methods require media preparation, sterilisation by autoclaving, pouring agar plates, sample incubation and manual colony counting. This process is not only time-consuming but also carries a risk of error from manual handling and variations in media quality.
- In contrast, ready-to-use media plates such as Compact Dry (Shimadzu) are designed ready for use, containing all the nutrients and colour indicators appropriate to each microbiological parameter.
- Users only need to inoculate the test sample directly onto the plate surface, incubate at a suitable temperature, then count the colonies by eye or with an automatic counter.
* Outstanding advantages
- No media preparation needed → saves time and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
- Consistent results between test runs.
- Easy to handle, easy to store, easy to transport.
- Suited to the trend of modern laboratory automation.
🧩 The role of ready-to-use media plates in HACCP and ISO 17025
* In the HACCP system
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) requires strict monitoring of critical microbiological control points.
Using ready-to-use media plates helps businesses:
- Quickly test parameters such as total aerobic plate count, E. coli, Coliform, yeasts – moulds.
- Ensures accurate, traceable test data.
- Shortens time to result, enabling early detection of contamination risks on the production line.
* In the ISO/IEC 17025 standard
- For laboratories accredited to ISO 17025, standardisation and result repeatability are mandatory factors.
- Products such as Compact Dry are certified by the organisations AOAC, MicroVal or NordVal, ensuring suitability for ISO-accredited laboratories.
- This helps laboratories meet international accreditation requirements while optimising operations and quality management.
🧫 Compact Dry plates – a modern testing solution
- They are a dry media plate system widely used in the food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and environmental industries,....
* Common plate types include:
- Compact Dry TC: total aerobic plate count.
- Compact Dry EC: E. coli and Coliform.
- Compact Dry YMR: yeasts and moulds.
- Compact Dry CF, X0SA, VP, SL, ETB...: for other specific parameters.
In particular, Compact Dry plates can be stored at room temperature, with no refrigerator needed, and have a shelf life of up to 18 months, which is very convenient for testing laboratories or large plants.
🌍 Optimising the quality control process with automated solutions
- The combination of ready-to-use media plates and automatic colony counters is opening up a new direction for modern microbiological testing laboratories. Thanks to this, businesses can:
- Shorten time to result.
- Increase accuracy and data traceability.
- Reduce operating costs and dependence on manual labour.
🏢 Solutions from PacificLAB
PacificLAB is the authorised distributor of Compact Dry plate products (Shimadzu – Japan) in Vietnam. We provide comprehensive microbiological testing solutions for the following fields:
- Food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals
- Agricultural products, aquaculture, animal feed
PacificLAB – a trusted partner for laboratories meeting HACCP and ISO 17025 standards
👉 See the article Rapid microorganism testing in food with Compact Dry plates from Shimadzu