Easicult tests
Easicult dipslides are intended for monitoring microbiological contaminations in industrial environments. Using Easicult does not require any microbiological expertise, advance preparation or equipment and the slides can easily be used on-site. The test slides can be used as convenient transport media if further analysis of the samples is needed. Please note that Easicult M has been replaced by Hygicult Y&F (Easicult M).
Generally
Easicult tests are reliable and easy-to-use culture tests for on-site monitoring of microbial contaminations in industrial fluids. Various settings from paper to metal industries can benefit from using Easicult to maintain high quality of their processes. For example, Easicult can be used in optimising the correct usage of biocides in paint industry or prevent clogging of the filters by microbial contaminations.
Easicult dipslides are available in three versions. Easicult Combi is for estimation of total bacterial count, as well as yeasts and moulds. Hygicult Y&F (Easicult M) is for monitoring fungal contamination with its selective medium for yeasts and moulds. Easicult TTC is for easy detection of total bacterial count. Easicult Combi and Easicult TTC are available in two different material versions: one in polypropylene (PP) tube for longer stability and the other in polystyrene (PS) tube that is more suitable for varying temperature conditions.
Easicult tests provide you with
- Well established, reliable method
- High quality on-site testing – no microbiological skills needed
- Flexibility – can be incubated at ambient temperature
- Easy result interpretation - no counting of colonies
- Long shelf-life when compared to culture plates
Technical data
| Products available |
|
| Method | Culture |
| Sample type | Fluid |
| Time to result | Incubation for 1 - 7 days depending on the product and the temperature used |
| Reading of the result | Visual, semiquantitative |
| Storage | 18 - 25 °C |
| Shelf life | 6 - 9 months from the date of manufacture |
| Transportation | 18 - 25 °C |
| Size and weight | 160 x 66 x 98 mm, 182-223 g |
| Full export carton of kits | 50 |
| Additionally needed | An incubator can be used |
| Country of origin | Finland |
| Registered trademark | Easicult is a registered trademark of Aidian Oy |
About the tests
Easicult tests are intended for detecting microbial contaminations in the industrial fluids, such as in cutting fluids, cooling waters, fuel and oil tanks or fluids in paper and pulp industry. The tests are also useful in the cosmetics industry, as well as in the paint and varnish industries. Easicult can be used almost anywhere where microbial contaminations can cause problems.
Easicult Combi is a two-medium dipslide. TTC agar allows almost all aerobic bacteria to grow, while Rose Bengal agar supports the growth of yeasts and moulds. Easicult Combi is intended for simultaneous estimation of total bacterial counts, yeasts and moulds.
Hygicult Y&F (Easicult M) contains malt agar where the growth of bacteria is inhibited. The medium supports the growth of yeasts and moulds. Hygicult Y&F (Easicult M) is intended for monitoring fungal contaminations.
Easicult TTC contains TTC agar that allows almost all aerobic bacteria to grow. It is intended for estimation of total bacterial counts.
Easicult Combi and Easicult TTC are available in two product versions: with a polystyrene (PS) tube and with a polypropylene (PP) tube. The product with a PP tube offers its users longer stability than the PS tube. However, if the test will be exposed to altering environment conditions, the use of a PS tube is recommended because less condensation water is formed in the tube.
Documents and materials
Marketing and sales materials
Easicult Application Sheets
Microbial contamination in jet fuel (EN)
Managing microbial contamination in metalworking fluids (EN)
Guide
A Guide to Monitoring Surface Hygiene (EN)
Stories
Microbiological contamination in aircraft fuel tanks (EN)
Videos
Instructions for use
(For informative use only. Kindly always refer to the latest package insert in the kit.)
Easicult TTC IFU (GB, DE, FR, RU, ES, IT, NL, SE, FI), 67683
Easicult Combi IFU (GB, DE, FR, RU, ES, IT, NL, SE, FI), 67987
Hygicult Y&F (Easicult M) IFU (GB, DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, DK, SE, FI), 68013
Safety Data Sheet
If you wish to receive a Safety data sheet, please contact: product.support@aidian.eu
Frequently asked questions
How do I dispose of Easicult?
Any growth on dipslides may be pathogenic. Therefore, used slides should be disposed by burning, autoclaving or by immersing in a disinfectant for overnight, always following local laws and regulations.
Are all colonies on the ‘pink side’ of the Easicult Combi dipslide considered to be yeasts or moulds? Are all colonies on the ‘pale side’ considered to be bacteria?
The ‘pink side’ is Rose Bengal agar for the detection of yeasts and moulds. The medium contains antibiotics to inhibit the bacterial growth. However, it is possible, but not very common, that some bacteria have resistance to these antibiotics allowing them to grow on the medium.
The ‘pale side’ is TTC agar, which promotes the growth of the most common bacteria. In addition, many yeasts and moulds may still be able to grow on TTC agar as this medium does not contain any inhibitory substances. Usually, yeasts and moulds need a longer time for growing, whereas bacterial colonies appear earlier.
My test surface turned red or pink almost immediately. Do I have lots of bacteria?
This is most likely a chemical reaction, not bacterial growth. The dye on TTC agar on Easicult TTC and Easicult Combi products (the dye is added to the media in order to colour the colonies red) reacts when the nutrients in the media are broken down. The colour change reaction may be caused by bacteria or even by certain chemicals. If the colour change is due to a chemical reaction, it usually happens within the first 15 - 30 minutes. No colonies can be formed on the growth medium so quickly.
What does 103, 104, 105, etc. mean?
If a sample is interpreted to contain 103 micro-organisms/ml, this means that there are 10 × 10 × 10 or 1000 micro-organisms present. If 104 micro-organisms are present, this equals 10,000 micro-organisms, and so on. The growth on the media is usually presented by colony forming units (CFU) rather than actual micro-organisms. One micro-organism is capable of forming one colony on the growth medium by multiplying.
I have had results back from a laboratory but I am not sure what they mean.
Total Plate Counts, Total Viable Counts (TVCs) and Plate Counts are different terms applied to carrying out ‘Total Bacterial Counts’. A laboratory will normally report the results by colony forming units (CFUs). For example: 2.4 × 103 indicates that 2400 CFUs were identified per millilitre. The result from Easicult carried out on the same sample would have been interpreted as 103 CFU/ml.
I incubated my tests for longer than 48 hours. Is this a problem?
It is acceptable to incubate the tests for 48 hours or more. In many cases this is recommended in order to allow slowly growing organisms to appear.
The kit instructions specify an incubation period of 24 - 36 hours. How long should I incubate the tests?
If you are incubating the tests at room temperature, we recommend an incubation period of 2 - 4 days. If you are incubating the tests at 30 ºC, the tests can be read after 24 hours and then returned to the incubator and checked again after 48 and 96 hours.
Some grown colonies are very large. Does this mean I have more micro-organisms?
No, the ‘dot’ or colony size is independent of the number of micro-organisms. In principle, the fewer microbes there are, the more space and nutrients are available for them which may lead to bigger colonies. However, this is not always the case.
Does any Easicult product identify specific micro-organisms such as Legionella or other pathogens?
The identification of specific micro-organisms is more complex and usually performed only in a microbiology laboratory. Easicult dipslides are not intended for detecting specific pathogens.
Do the tests need to be incubated in the light or in the dark?
Either is acceptable because the presence of light has no impact on the test itself. However, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided during the storage and incubation.
Some of colonies that have developed are not red on Easicult TTC agar. What does this mean?
The colonies turn red because of the indicator dye. This dye is added to make the results interpretation easier with more visible colonies. Certain bacteria may occasionally form colourless colonies on this medium.
How should I store Easicult?
Easicult should be stored in the kit box at room temperature, protected from draughts and temperature fluctuations in order to preserve the moisture content and the balance of nutrients in the medium. Avoid freezing and direct sunlight.
The test kit instructions specify the incubation temperature range. What is the actual required temperature for incubation?
If you have an incubator, incubate the tests at 27 - 30 ºC. If you do not have an incubator, incubate the tests at ambient temperature or at room temperature (18 - 25 ºC). Extended incubation time may be recommended in lower temperatures. The most accurate results can be obtained when the slides are incubated at the temperature where the samples have been collected.
What is an acceptable number of bacteria for cooling water to contain?
A general guide would be 103 - 104 CFU/ml for cooling water. However, you should determine the acceptable level of bacteria for your specific system.
I have a box of Easicult which is past its expiry date. Can the tests still be used?
The Easicult tests have an expiry date printed on the side of each box. The expiry date has been determined based on real-time stability data and the product should not be used after its expiration date.