Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC):

The MIC test determines antimicrobial activity of a material against a specific bacteria. The lowest concentration of the test agent that allows no growth/ no more than one or two CFU/ only a slight haze to grow is the MIC. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) or the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) is defined as the lowest concentration of the test agent that will kill a test organism, MLC cannot be done without testing for MIC.

Zone of Inhibition:

This method is used to demonstrate activity / potency of antimicrobials or antibiotics /plant materials by measuring the zone of inhibition against specified microorganisms. This method is very useful for screening of large number of test agents for their antimicrobial activities. The test agents showing good antimicrobial activity can then be taken for MIC studies.

Bioburden Testing:

Bioburden testing will provide an estimate of the total number of bacteria, fungus, etc. present in your sample. Bioburden testing on the products and other ingredients used in the pharmaceutical /food/nutraceutical industry provide control of microbial levels. Bioburden testing determines the number of viable microorganisms on a product.

Environmental Monitoring (Surface testing, equipment testing, air monitoring, glove print)*

The Environmental (Microbial) monitoring programs for controlled environments should assess the effectiveness of the cleaning and sanitation practices by and of the personnel that could have an impact on the bioburden of the controlled environment. Microbial monitoring, regardless of how sophisticated the system may be, will not and need not identify and quantitative all microbial contaminants present in controlled environments. Routine microbiological monitoring should provide sufficient information to ascertain that the controlled environment is operating within an adequate state of control.

The Environmental monitoring program includes an appropriate level of identification of the flora obtained from sampling. A knowledge of the normal flora in controlled environments aids in determining the usual microbial flora anticipated for the facility being monitored, evaluating the effectiveness of the cleaning and sanitation procedures, methods and agents and recovery methods.

Water analysis*

Bacteriological water analysis is a method of analyzing water to estimate the numbers of bacteria present and, if needed, to find out what sort of bacteria they are. It is a microbiological analytical procedure which uses samples of water and from these samples determines the concentration of bacteria. It is then possible to draw inferences about the suitability of the water for use from these concentrations. This process is used, for example, to routinely confirm that water is safe for human consumption or that bathing and recreational waters are safe to use.

The interpretation and the action trigger levels for different waters vary depending on the use made of the water. Very stringent levels applying to drinking water whilst more relaxed levels apply to marine bathing waters where much lower volumes of water are expected to be ingested by users.

• Total Aerobic count
• Yeast & Mould Count (TFC)
• Enterobacteriaceae
• Coliforms
• E.coli
• Salmonella
• Stapylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Note: *Services available within Bangalore