Microbiology facilities
Our microbiology laboratory offers a range of equipment allowing users to safely handle, store and work with a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microbes at ACDP hazard category II level. We also have a number of pieces of sample capture / manipulation / enumeration equipment, such as air samplers, an anaerobic chamber, a stomacher 400 circulator and a Colony Doc-it Imaging Station, which provides measurement of zones of inhibition and radial diffusion assays, enabling rapid quantification of results for antimicrobial activity assays.
Our experienced staff carry out microbiology-based projects covering a range of activities and applications, allowing us to identify, characterise and use a wide range of microbes. We also have a Stomacher 400 Circulator by Seward which is used at the outset of determining the microbial content of environmental samples, food products etc: samples to be tested are homogenised aseptically using the Stomacher, enabling the recovery of microorganisms present deep within the sample as well as those present on the surface. This enables us to obtain more accurate microbial counts since any microbes present are distributed evenly throughout the homogenised sample, avoiding any localised pockets of microbial growth within the sample. Efficient homogenisation of samples is also vital in downstream molecular applications, such as pathogen detection using qPCR or microbial community analysis using genotyping, and next generation sequencing methods.
Our equipment also includes a surface air system (SAS) air sampler which are portable devices used to capture the microorganisms present within an indoor environment. Known volumes of air are drawn through numerous holes present on the lid of the device and deposited onto the surface of an agar plate contained within the equipment. The agar plates can then be removed and incubated to allow the captured microbes to grow for subsequent identification. This equipment is an invaluable tool in determining sources of contamination in the production environment.
Activities include:
- Isolation of environmental microbes (provides freedom to operate)
- Mutagenesis and improvement of microbial strains for a trait of interest
- Culturing of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms
- Measurement of zones of inhibition / antimicrobial activity testing
- Recovery of microorganisms deep within samples
- Isolation of airborne microorganisms
- Independent testing / validation of products and processes: identification of contaminants in products or production environments
- Microbial identification
To use the microbiology facilities or find out more about its capabilities, please contact us.
We have an extensive range of raw materials characterisation equipment, see below.
Pre-processing
Macerator
The macerator is capable of reducing solids to small pieces; producing slurries and processing biomass materials with high water content.
Microbiology facilities
Our microbiology laboratory offers a range of equipment allowing users to safely handle, store and work with a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microbes, at ACDP hazard category II level.
Pelletising
Pelletising is the process of compressing light material into the form of a pellet. This has many advantages, mainly by reducing dust in transport and increasing the density of the material being transported.
Seed processing
We have a range of pre-processing equipment to enable us to work with the interesting oils found in seed crops.
Size reduction & grading
Size reduction equipment, such as a cutting mill, a hammer mill or a granulator, with capacities ranging from 4 kg/h to 100 kg/h.
Let's work together
We have worked on 1,500 bio-based projects to date
We have several ways to work with us, including business advisory programmes and self-funded commercial options. We even have the option for you to hire our state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and office space.
