Contact Slides Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar, Yeasts and molds, sterile; γ-irradiated, HYCON® [Pack of 20]

Description

HYCON® Contact Slides YM are designed for the determination of the total yeast and mold count on dry, sanitized surfaces as well as personnel in controlled environments of production lines, i.e. food and beverages as well as non sterile and terminally sterilized pharmaceuticals.

Each contact slide is individually sealed in the transparent, primary package and provides a rectangular surface of 25 cm2. The agar is filled in a flexible backing film. The formulation of the medium is based on a Rose Bengal Agar for selective detection of yeasts and molds.

Mode of Action
Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar is a selective medium for the enumeration of yeasts and molds. The medium has a neutral pH. Chlormaphenicol, streptomycin and rose bengal are included as selective agents to inhibit bacterial growth. Rose bengal also restricts the size and height of colonies of the more rapidly growing molds, which facilitates the detection of slow-growing fungi by preventing overgrowth by more rapidly growing species.

Typical Composition
Soytone    6 g/L
D(+) Dextrose  15 g/L
Malt extract    5 g/L
Magnesium sulphate    0.5 g/L
Yeast extract    1 g/L
Agar    15 g/L

The appearance of the medium is clear and pink to red. The pH value is in the range of 7.1-7.5. The medium
can be adjusted and/or supplemented according to the performance criteria required.

Application and Interpretation
Prior to use the contact slides should be equilibrated to room temperature. Please check each contact slide before use to verify sterility and take care on aseptic handling in order to avoid false positive results. Contaminated or dehydrated contact slides should not be used for sampling.

It is recommended to put the cover slide in place before opening the contact slide. For sampling, the sealing of the primary packaging is opened by approximately one third. The backing film filled with agar facing downwards is removed while taking care of aseptic handling and the agar surface is pressed on the dry surface to be tested for some seconds with a steady pressure (see also ISO 14698). Afterwards the backing film is returned into the primary packaging with the agar facing downwards and closed by moving the cover slide to the opening end of the contact slide.

Please take care on cleaning the surface which came into contact with the agar medium. The closed contact slides
are transferred to an incubator. Incubate the slides at 25-30°C for up to 7 days.
Individual incubation conditions can be chosen and should be validated at the application site.
Finally, the number of CFU per slide is examined. Grown colonies may be identified using suitable methods related to root cause analysis programs or to support sanitizing management.

Important Notes
• Practice aseptic technique when handling contact slides
• The coated surface of the contact slides should face down during incubation in order to avoid the formation of satellites by condensing water.

Storage
The product can be used until the expiry date if stored in the original box, protected from light and properly sealed
at the temperature range indicated on the box label. The total shelf life from the date of production is 7 months.

Condensation can be prevented by avoiding quick temperature shifts and mechanical stress. Upon storage
contact slides should not be placed near heat sources such as refrigerators with heat-emitting condensers. Boxes should be stored with the coated side of the contact slide facing downwards.

Disposal
Please mind the respective regulations for the disposal of used culture medium (e.g. autoclave for 20 min at 121°C, disinfect, incinerate etc.).