Standard operating procedure for operation and verification of digital bacterial colony counter
1.0 Purpose:
To lay down a procedure for operation and verification of colony counter.
2.0 Scope:
This procedure is applicable for operation and verification of colony counter in microbiology laboratory.
3.0 Responsibility:
Microbiologist /Designee : To perform operation, daily verification and observe the microbial colonies as per SOP.
Head /Designee – QC : To review and ensure compliance of SOP.
Head /Designee – QA : To approve, implement and ensure compliance of SOP.
4.0 Procedure:
4.1 Operation:
4.1.1 Connect the plug to the main supply.
4.1.2 Switch on the main switch. Digital display will be show.
4.1.3 Put the instrument "ON" by pressing the 'ON/OFF' switch.
4.1.4 The area provided for the dish holder will be illuminate.
4.1.5 Reset the colony counter by pressing the reset switch. The counter will
show '0000' on the digital display.
4.1.6 Place an inverted petriplate on the illuminated dish holder.
4.1.7 Check whether the auto mark is connected to the colony counter.
4.1.8 Arrange magnifier with suitable height from which small colony will clearly visual.
4.1.9 Remove the cap of the auto mark and touch the marking point of the probe on the inverted petridish where a colony is located.
4.1.10 Press the probe gently. The counter will register a count, with a beep sound and an ink dot will appear on the petridish. Continue till all the colonies are counted.
4.1.11 When the counting is over, note down the reading from the digital display.
4.2 Verification:
4.2.1 For verification, press the probe 10 times and it will show ‘0010’.
4.2.2 It means our colony counter works properly.
4.2.3 Frequency of verification -Daily
4.3 Cleaning:
4.3.1 Clean Daily with mop dipped in 70% IPA.
5.0 Abbreviations:
QA-Quality Assurance
QC-Quality Control
SOP-Standard Operating Procedure
IPA-Isopropyl Alcohol
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