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BBL™ Trypticase™ Soy Agar (TSA) with Lecithin and Polysorbate 80 sterile pack plates are used for the detection and enumeration of microorganisms present on surfaces of sanitary importance. The Sterile Pack plates are particularly useful for monitoring surfaces in clean rooms and other environmentally controlled areas.

The contact-style plates are also recommended for use in air sampling equipment such as the Surface Air System.

Environmental sampling plates are specially constructed so that an agar medium can be over-filled, producing a meniscus or dome-shaped surface that can be pressed onto a surface for sampling its microbial burden. These plates are used in a variety of programs to establish and monitor cleaning techniques and schedules.^1-5

After touching the surface to be sampled with the medium, the dish is covered and incubated at an appropriate temperature. The presence and number of microorganisms is determined by the appearance of colonies on the surface of the agar medium.⁶ Collection of samples from the same area before and after cleaning and treatment with a disinfectant permits the evaluation of the efficacy of sanitary procedures.

1. Examine plates for signs of deterioration as described under "Product Deterioration."

2. Check performance by inoculating a representative sample of plates with pure cultures of stable control organisms that give known, desired reactions. The following test strains are recommended:

For Laboratory Use

Observe aseptic techniques and established precautions against microbiological hazards throughout all procedures. After use, prepared plates and other contaminated materials should be sterilized by autoclaving.