- It not only saves operating costs: Compact Dry also shortens sample preparation, reduces handling mistakes, and raises hi
- So what makes businesses gradually abandon the traditional agar-pouring method and switch to using Shimadzu Compact Dry plates?
The limitations of the traditional agar method
For decades, traditional agar was the gold standard in microbiological testing. However, this method has many drawb
1. Time-consuming preparation
Before each test round, staff must:
- Weigh the culture medium
- Dissolve the medium
- Sterilize with an autoclave
- Pour petri dishes
- Wait for setting
- Refrigerate
The whole process can take 2–4 hours before sample analysis begins.
2. High operating costs
Besides the culture medium costs, the business must also invest in:
- An autoclave
- A refrigerator for storing medium
- Petri dishes
- Electricity to operate the equipment
- Labor for preparing the medium
This is a significant expense for QC rooms operating daily.
3. High risk of mistakes
Non-uniform medium preparation or plate pouring can lead to:
- Unstable results
- Cross-contamination
- Ruined medium
- Having to repeat the test
The Compact Dry plate solves all of the above problems
Compact Dry is a ready-to-use dry culture medium system developed by Shimadzu. Each plate already contains:
- The culture medium
- A chromogenic indicator
- Selective components for microorganisms
The user only needs to drop 1 mL of sample into the plate and incubate. No need
❌ to prepare the medium
❌ to pour agar plates
❌ to sterilize
❌ to prepare petri dishes
5 reasons food factories are switching to Compact Dry
1. Saving up to 50% of microbiology testing costs
When using Compact Dry, the business can cut:
- Culture medium costs
- Petri dish costs
- Electricity costs for the autoclave
- Labor costs for medium preparation
* Especially for QC rooms testing dozens to hundreds of samples each day, this saving is significant.
2. Shorter handling time
- With traditional agar: medium preparation takes 2–4 hours
- With Compact Dry: sample preparation takes only a few minutes
QC staff can focus on analytical work instead of preparing the medium.
3. Lower laboratory space requirements
Because there is no need for:
- A medium preparation area
- A plate-pouring area
- A large-capacity autoclave
- A medium storage room
Many businesses have significantly optimized their laboratory space after switching to Compact Dry.
4. Stable and uniform results
Each Compact Dry plate is produced under a strictly standardized process. This helps:
- Eliminate errors from medium preparation
- Increase repeatability
- Ensure reliability across test batches
5. International recognition
Compact Dry has been evaluated and recognized by many international organizations such as:
- AOAC International
- MicroVal
- NordVal
As a result, the test results can be used in the business's quality management system and meet export requirements.
Common microbiology indicators that can be tested with Compact Dry
Compact Dry currently offers many specialized product lines:
- Compact Dry TC: tests the total viable count of aerobic microorganisms
- Compact Dry EC: tests E. coli and Coliform
- Compact Dry CF: tests Coliform
- Compact Dry YMR: rapidly tests yeasts and molds
- Compact Dry X-SA: tests Staphylococcus aureus
- Compact Dry SL: tests Salmonella
- ..........
As a result, the business can build a comprehensive microbial control system from incoming raw materials to finished products.
Which businesses is Compact Dry suitable for?
This solution is particularly suitable for:
- Food factories
- Beverage plants
- Dairy plants
- Seafood processing plants
- Meat processing plants
- Animal feed factories
- Internal QC rooms
- Testing centers
- Service laboratories
Conclusion
- The trend of switching from traditional agar to Compact Dry is not just a technology change but also a strategy for optimizing costs and raising microbiology testing efficiency.
- With the advantages of no medium preparation, no autoclave, fast handling, labor savings, and reliable results, Compact Dry is becoming the top choice of many modern food factories.
- If your business is looking for a rapid microbiology testing solution, reduced microbiology testing costs, and higher QC room productivity, Shimadzu Compact Dry plates are a choice worth considering.