Merck – Water and Food Analysis
Merck’s Membrane filtration technique complies with international standard such as standard methods for Examination of Water and Waste water, US EPA, and EU testing procedures for drinking water or other filtration testing it’s simple: the test sample is filtered through a microporous membrane, allowing the retention of microbial contamination on top of the membrane. Rinsing removes residues that might inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Once the sample is filtered, nutrient medium is added to promote growth of microorganisms for recovery. For testing non-filterable samples, Merck offers a large selection of culture media of the high quality.
The EZ product family is a range of Merck products for membrane filtration designed to perform microbiological analysis.
Key Features
- Transparent filter funnel with clear level indicators.
- Safe membrane transfer with protective rim.
- The unique filling volume allows easy membrane transfer.
- Lockable plates for increased safety and security.
- Small and stackable plates to save space in your incubator.
Available Models
The EZ-Fit™ Filtration Unit is a disposable filtration device for bioburden testing of liquid samples including water, in-process samples, and final products
Optimal microbial recovery
The EZ-Fit™ Filtration Units have been designed to ensure optimal microbial recovery. The sterilized, disposable filtration devices for bioburden testing streamline your workflow, save time and give you highly reliable microbial enumeration results.The blue and pink drain support and the funnel-to-base assembly have been optimized so that the membrane remains perfectly flat after the sample filtration. When transferred to the culture medium, the whole filtration surface of the membrane is in perfect contact with the culture media. The shape of the funnel and the hydrophobic material minimize sample residue ensuring that the complete sample volume reaches the membrane surface. The innovative funnel assembly design prevents any leaks or sample by-pass of the membrane, meaning that the whole sample volume is filtered. The EZ-Fit™ Filtration Units conform to international standards (EP/USP) and comply with water testing regulations.
Reliable results – every time
The protective rim allows safe membrane transfer with forceps, reducing the risk of touching the membrane filtration area, and the vented lid can be left on the device during filtration.
Flexibility
The EZ-Fit™ Filtration Unit cover a wide range of applications, offering a selection of membranes and the flexibility to use liquid or solid culture media.
Save precious time
The pink drain design reduces filtration time on difficult to filter samples. New packaging solutions allow a reduction of set up time. For detailed information download the Data Sheet.
In summary, the new EZ-Fit™ Filtration Units offer:
- Drain support and optimized funnel-to-base assembly ensure optimal microbial recovery
- Reduced risk of contaminating the membrane with forceps due to a protective rim
- Visibility of the end of the filtration from any angle thanks to transparent funnel material
- All around level volume indicators
- Funnel handling with a single hand
- Stackability, saving space in the work area
- 250 ml funnels allow larger volume samples
- Unique design for easy cleaning and decontamination
- Different filtration heads for both reusable and disposable filtration devices
- Quick-fit connectors for the vacuum tubing
- Low height for ease of use in laminar flow hoods
Description
A design to eliminate sources of contamination:
- Easy to prevent biofilms: The new EZ-Fit™ Manifold design eliminates sources of contamination that can cause false positive results: all internal areas are accessible and can be cleaned efficiently and all components can be autoclaved
- Each component can be removed quickly and easily without any additional tools
- A check valve is integrated into the tubing connection to prevent liquid back-flow from the vacuum system
- The 2-way valve prevents the user from accidentally touching the filtration head while opening or closing it
Ease of use:
- A low height design increases comfort, especially when used in laminar flow hoods
- The tubing to the vacuum source can be connected to either side of the manifold
- The total weight is only 2.9 kg for a 3-place manifold! But nonetheless the stability of the manifold on non-flat working areas is ensured by a unique system
- The valves are large and easy to operate
- A new filtration head for Microfil® disposable funnels and membranes improves ease-of-use, reduces maintenance and limits the risk of contamination. A continuous rim allows easy and safe membrane transfer with forceps (reducing the risk of touching the membrane filtration area) and membrane removal with one hand
- Filtration heads are available which accept N°8 stoppers. These fit our devices such as Monitor 55-Plus™ and EZ-Fit® Filtration Unit. One filtration head is also compatible with stainless steel and glass funnels.
Designed to improve operation time and comfort
Simply connect the pump to your manifold or filtration apparatus and place the discard tubing to drain and you are ready to filter. There is no need to use additional containers to capture the waste liquid. This brings a significant time saving versus traditional vacuum/pressure pumps or in-house vacuum because the following steps are eliminated: disconnecting the waste containers, emptying liquid waste, cleaning/decontaminating, re-installing the waste containers.
Thanks to its compact design the EZ-Stream™ pump is ideal for use both on the work bench and in the laminar flow hood where its small footprint (W 20cm – L 17cm – H 22cm) will save precious space.
The EZ-Stream™ pump is at home handling both liquids and gases making it also suitable for many additional Life Science Laboratory applications.
Regulatory compliance
Each individual pump is tested to ensure that the max vacuum delivered does not exceed 700 mbar, the vacuum pressure recommended in ISO 8199 (Water quality – general guidance on the enumeration of micro-organisms by culture).
A critical point in the microbiology laboratory, and aligned with GLP, is decontamination of equipment. The smooth design of the pump makes this operation easy and efficient. The EZ-Stream™ pump has been qualified to be compatible with a range of surface decontaminants.
Quiet design
Noise is often an issue when using filtration pumps. With the EZ-Stream™ a cover protects the pump mechanism, and the assembly has been optimized to reduce the noise down to 60 dB.
High vacuum performance
Thanks to its innovative design, the EZ-Stream™ pump can provide vacuum up to 600-700 mbar, and because it transfers liquids through the pump head this translates to a high flow rate performance. The pump can easily handle a multiple head manifold for water or beverage testing, providing a comparable flow rate to traditional vacuum/pressure pumps and a better flow rate when compared to other liquid pumps.
Maintenance-free
The EZ-Stream™ pump technology and the materials of construction provide reliable vacuum performance and make the pump maintenance-free. The diaphragm is made of highly durable chemically resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
- High-speed sterile membrane dispensing
- No-touch operation
- One-handed membrane transfer
Description
- Robust components selected for durability and high-throughput dispensing.
- No touch detection: Move your hand toward the sensor – no touch necessary – and a membrane is unwrapped, dispensed and consistently well positioned for transfer with forceps. Software controls prevent the accidental dispensing of multiple membranes.
- Easy decontamination: The smooth shape facilitates cleaning. The plastic material is compatible with a large range of disinfection agents. Membrane is automatically positioned for easy transfer with forceps.
- Easy membrane loading: New design with cover allows you to load a cartridge in less than 30 seconds.
- Lightweight and portable. It can be easily moved between lab benches.
- Industrial infrared sensor: No need to press a lever, the durable motor will dispense one membrane in less than one second.
- Cableless: The dispenser can work with or without connection to a power outlet. When the Lithium ion battery is fully charged up to 10,000 membranes can be dispensed. After 10 minutes idle time, a standby mode is activated to save energy.
EZ-Pak® Membranes for use with EZ-Pak® Dispenser Curve
- High throughput: Each cartridge contains 150 membranes. Less frequent reloading saves time.
- Visible traceability: The membrane catalog number, lot number, pore size and sequential number (from 150 to 1) are printed on the protective film of every membrane cell.
- Wide variety of membranes covering many applications: Pore sizes from 0,2µm to 0,8µm, diameters of 47mm and 50mm, and white, black and green membrane.
- Detailed Certificate of Quality: Pore size, flow rate, extractables, retention, recovery and sterility are tested and listed on the Certificate of Quality.
Assured Convenience and Sterility
The new EZ-Pak® Dispenser Curve revolutionizes filter handling for MF method testing by combining the benefits of high-speed sterile membrane dispensing, no-touch operation and one-handed membrane transfer.
Clear advantages of the EZ-Pak® Dispenser Curve include fast and easy membrane loading, robustness and the ability to operate with or without the power cable.
For the ultimate in convenience and efficiency, combine the EZ-Pak® system with the Microfil® filtration system. The Microfil® system includes ready-to-use, sterile filtration funnels and a unique filtration support to facilitate sample processing. No preparation steps are required.
EZ-Fluo™ is a non-destructive method that enables you to continue to grow the microorganisms after they have been stained in order to identify them using any standard ID technology. This is a tremendous advantage compared to other rapid test systems which cannot ID microorganisms using the same sample that was tested to detect the contamination.
- Rapid technology capable of providing results in 1/3 of the time required using traditional techniques
- Flexible approach based on standard membrane filtration and reduced incubation on media plate
- Non-destructive method, compatible with any ID technique
- Compact hardware, fits easily on any laboratory bench
- Cost effective solution for routine use as well as investigation
Faster product release
Today, more and more QC laboratories are switching to rapid methods for the detection of microbial contamination. This is because traditional methods require several days to provide results and therefore are of limited value when it comes to releasing product to the market faster, or to conducting quick investigation when necessary.
Applications
EZ-Fluo™ can detect and quantify microbial contamination in any filterable sample. Potential applications are numerous and include testing of the following sample types:
- Raw materials
- In-process samples
- Final product
- Environmental samples
Support and Services
We provide a comprehensive range of support and services to help you save your QC resources and facilitate the implementation of your EZ-Fluo™ system into your daily testing routine. Our highly experienced service teams can assist you with the following activities:
- Feasibility study and on-site evaluation
- Method development and method development
- Consulting
- Equipment installation
- Operator training
- On-site system qualification (IQ/OQ)
- Yearly preventative maintenance
- Service plan
For further information on our support and services offering please contact your local sales representative.
Support and Services
Merck provides technical support and a comprehensive service offering to help you save your QC resources and facilitate the implementation of your EZ-Fluo™ into your daily testing routine. Our highly experienced teams are there to assist you.
You can contact your local sales representative.
Key Industries
- Environmental
- Food & Beverage
- Mining & Minerals
- Pharmaceutical
Brand
At Merck, our vision is to unleash the potential of science for life. But we couldn’t do it without you. Close partnerships with our customers have been at the heart of our progress throughout our long history. They have allowed us to clearly understand your challenges. To develop high-quality solutions that are tailored to your needs. And to constantly push the bound- aries of innovation. As your reliable partner and one-stop supplier, we offer a portfolio of more than 40,000 products, and serve you from 154 locations in 67 countries around the world. So whether in your quality control lab, pilot plant or production facility, you’ll have the most suitable products, packaging and documentation to conduct your application more easily, efficiently and economically.
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