MIC002

Standard Plate Count PT - WS

Proficiency Testing Material

• NACRES: NA.85

Properties

• Quality Level: 100
• packaging: set of 2 ea
• matrix: Vitroid
• application(s): environmental; food and beverages
• shipped in: wet ice
• storage temp.: −20°C

Description

General description

Standard Plate Count (SPC) - Water Supply (WS) proficiency testing material is produced in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043:2010. This sample is manufactured according to TNI requirements. However, please note, this sample may include non-TNI analytes as well. The lower criteria from the TNI tables mimic the levels common to drinking water samples.

Supelco^® is a global proficiency testing (PT) provider that manufactures best-in-class environmental and pharmaceutical PT products. Most water PT samples are available as concentrates or ready-to-use volumes giving the end-user flexibility in selecting samples that will fit their exact needs.
These samples are typically provided in duplicate for use in case of lab mishap, for QC purposes, or to analyze multiple methods.

Type of PT Scheme: Water analysis: Water Supply (WS)

Matrix: Water Supply/Drinking water

Analyte/s: Values of analytes vary lot to lot.

All information regarding the use of Standard Plate Count - Water Supply (WS) proficiency testing standard can be found in the reporting packet which will be available to download at PT Portal.

Application

Standard Plate Count - Water Supply (WS) proficiency testing material is designed to test the colony count of heterotrophic bacteria.

Have any questions? Explore our FAQs. 
For more information on this product, please contact our PT Service Team.

Features and Benefits

We have a vast portfolio of environmental PT schemes with "fit-for-purpose" samples to help you meet the needs of the laboratory.

Our proficiency testing (PT) program is a benchmark to:

• provide staff with an insight into their laboratory′s performance, to verify the accuracy and reliability of their testing process
• provide a comparison of performance with that of other laboratories, nationally and internationally
• test and educate staff, provide a better understanding of the impact of incorrect results and identify areas where there may be problems
• provide an independent evaluation of laboratory performance
• demonstrate to clients, colleagues and accreditation bodies that there is a commitment to quality

Packaging

Set contains 2 sterile screw cap vials each containing a Vitroid (a small disk containing the possible organisms) and 2 - 99mL bottles of phosphate buffer.
(Please note, buffer solution may not be provided with your sample. If this causes any concern, please contact PT Service ptservice@milliporesigma.com.)

Preparation Note

Description

• This PT sample is designed for the quantitative analysis heterotrophic bacteria.
• The PT sample is provided as a stable lyophilized pellet requiring hydration.
• When prepared according to instructions, the concentration range of the sample will be between 5-500 CF/mL as per TNI Fields of Testing.
• The lyophilized sample is stable for a time exceeding the study schedule.

General information

• Due to the sensitivity of microorganisms and short holding times after hydration, please read the entire instructions prior to preparation. You must follow these instructions exactly to ensure the viability of the lyophilized microorganisms.
• This sample is a single pellet, and the possible concentration range is quite broad, it may be necessary to analyze the sample in a dilution series.
• This sample may be analyzed by any method appropriate for heterotrophic plate count.
• Allow no more than 30 minutes to elapse from the completion of hydration and introduction of the sample to media.

Preparation Instructions

• Due to the sensitivity of microorganisms and short holding times after hydration, please read entire instructions prior to preparation. You must follow these instructions exactly to ensure viability of the lyophilized microorganisms.
• This sample is a single pellet and the possible concentration range is quite broad, it may be necessary to analyze the sample in a dilution series.
• This sample may be analyzed by any method appropriate for heterotrophic plate count.
• Analysis should be completed within 1 hour of hydration.
• Preparation Instructions:
• Allow the capped sample vial to equilibrate to room temperature. This may take 15 min.
• Disc Aseptically transfer a dehydrated tablet to your container that contains 100 ml buffer solution. The tablet will dissolve completely in about 15 minutes.
• Open the sample vial and aseptically transfer the disc to your container that contains 100 ml buffer solution/hydrating fluid. NOTE: The sample is the colored disc within the cryotube. It will either be on top of cotton with opaque desiccant beads below the cotton or free moving in a cryotube that contains a desiccant tablet within the cap. The opaque desiccant beads and desiccant tablet are to keep the container dry and are not biologicals.
• Allow the disc to dissolve completely this may take up to 15 minutes. Mix by inverting gently several times, shaking may cause the cap to leak.
• This represents the sample for analysis. Incubate at the temperature required by your method. Minimum incubation time is 24 hours. Further incubation time may be necessary depending on the method and media. If you have questions please contact ptservice@milliporesigma.com.

NOTE: We are no longer supplying Phosphate buffer for Micro samples. Please proceed to use your laboratory′s standard buffer or saline solution. If your laboratory does not have buffer in-house, we recommend using P3813, Phosphate Powder which can be purchased at SigmaAldrich.com. Results are based on a 1mL sample from the 100mL preparation, thus units are CFU/mL or MPN/mL, not the full volume. In effect, you are diluting the disk 100 fold.

Storage and Stability

Please refer to the sample label for storage conditions.

Specific Batch Notes
For batch LRAC5559, it is vital that all 4 discs provided are used.

Other Notes

Are you new to Supelco^® Proficiency Testing? Be sure to register your account details in the PT Portal before placing your order.
This will provide access to data entry, reporting packets and final reports. Registrations will be approved shortly after your order is placed. For further questions, write to us at ptservice@milliporesigma.com.

When placing your order online, please indicate your study preference under the ′your reference′ column. Available studies can be viewed at the bottom of the page.
Click here to learn more about Quick-Turn Studies (on-demand proficiency tests that are offered depending on lot availability). The Quick-Turn results are released within 48-72 hours whereas scheduled study reports are released within 21 days.

Proficiency testing samples are presented as single blind. No values for the samples are released until the testing period concludes. This PT sample is designed for the quantitative analysis heterotrophic bacteria. The PT sample is provided in duplicate as a stable dehydrated Vitroid requiring hydration. The additional sample is provided for mishaps in the lab. Store the PT sample as directed. The dehydrated Vitroid sample is stable for a time exceeding the study schedule.

Proficiency Testing Schedule (2022-2023)

Drinking Water
WS22-1 January 12 – February 25, 2022
WS22-2 March 23 - May 6, 2022
WS22-3 July 6 - August 19, 2022
WS22-4 September 21 - November 4, 2022

WS23-1 January 11 – February 24, 2023
WS23-2 March 22 – May 5, 2023
WS23-3 July 5 – August 18, 2023
WS23-4 September 20 – November 3, 2023


Quick-Turn Study (on demand proficiency test that is offereddepending on lot availability)

Legal Information

Supelco is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Analyte

Heterotrophic plate count 5.00 - 500 CFU/mL
Heterotrophic plate count, MPN 5.00 - 500 MPN

Safety Information

• Storage Class Code: 11 - Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): Not applicable
• Flash Point(C): Not applicable