Microbiologic monitoring equipment

Today, automatic biocide application, actuated by reference to real-time biofouling monitoring equipment, is available in some countries and may provide better (if very expensive) microbiological control than 7- to 28-day timer-controlled systems. 

Production equipment that cannot be sterilized must be sanitized and disinfected by an appropriate method. This can be done by use of biocides like alcohols (70%), hydrogen peroxide, or formaldehyde-based chemicals or a combination of these. These can either be used for surface disinfections by wiping or spraying or even better by use of gas or dry fog systems for application of the disinfectants. The effect of cleaning and sanitation should be monitored. Microbiological media contact plates can be used to test critical surfaces, as inside the hot cells or glove boxes. The test samples must then be handled and monitored as radioactive contaminated units. 

Workstations and their environment should be monitored with respect to radioactivity, particulate, and microbiological quality. Active air sampling from production units for radioactive products (hot cells or glove boxes) is subject to a safety consideration. There is always a risk of bringing radioactive contaminated air outside the workstation. To avoid the spread of radioactivity during the test, all possible exhaust from the test equipment must be sampled and/or controlled. 

Installation and certification of laminar air flow areas where sterile air is provide via high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters Environmental monitoring of the facility, equipment, water, and personnel for strict microbiological and particulate control... 

In cases where it is acceptable to screen or monitor water samples by techniques such as the Microtox test, it would be prudent wherever possible to include other test methods. This would require the services of a reliable centralized chemical and microbiological laboratory suitably equipped with instruments such as atomic absorption spectrometers, gas chromatographs, etc. Tliese facilities would be used to check whether a water source is suitable for long-term use. 

When a winery considers investment in laboratory equipment, a compound microscope should be a priority. Microscopic capabilities allow winemakers to quickly monitor the progress of alcoholic and malolactic fermentations and to tentatively determine the source of microbiological problems. This chapter oudines basic microscopy as well as techniques to view wine microorganisms. 

Two very important instruments in a wine microbiology laboratory are the microscope and pH meter. As already discussed (Chapter 12), microscopes equipped with phase-contrast are most useful to monitor fermentations and to identify potential spoilage issues. Equally important, a pH meter can be used for routine monitoring and adjustment of must or wine pH as well as providing basic information for calculating the concentration of molecular SOg (Section 5.2.1). Furthermore, the pH meter is used in the laboratory to adjust the pH of either solutions or media. Calibration of pH... 

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