SwapCheck

Product Details :

The SwapCheck principle

The surface is wiped with a cellulose swab and any bacteria collected are transferred via the swab into a tube containing a special medium with an indicator dye, which is then incubated. A single bacterium is sufficient to cause a color change. This means that SwapCheck is about 1000 times more sensitive than the conventional ATP method. This accuracy is particularly important in the food industry. With this simple method, it is possible to identify microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes, which must not be present in any concentration in food and beverages.

Features and benefits

• The right test for each type of contamination
• Qualitative and semi-quantitative hygiene control
• Sterile packed and ready-for-use
• Easy to handle
• Rapid results
• Long shelf-life

SwapCheck use

Handling is easy. Open the sterile pack, remove the swab and wipe it over an area of about 10 x 10 cm. Then twist off the cap of the medium tube and insert the swab so that the cap fits tightly. Label the sample tube and incubate at the appropriate temperature.

A change in color indicates the presence of the microorganism in question. The quicker the color change occurs, the higher the bioburden. If no color change has been observed after the maximum incubation period has elapsed, then the corresponding microorganism is not present. Whatman offers SwapCheck in packs of 25 pieces. Shelf-life of 12 months.

Neutralizing Buffer Swabs

Neutralizing buffer swabs are used in the monitoring of surfaces for total bacterial count. Neutralizing buffer inactivates the bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of chlorine and quaternary ammonium detergents.However, neutralizing buffer exhibits no toxic effects on microorganisms. This permits the transfer of swabbed organisms to the laboratory without loss in viability. Neutralizing buffer is not designed to culture and enumerate microorganisms.

Buffer Swabs

Used for the collection of surface contamination from flat or convoluted surfaces prior to transport to a laboratory for culture and enumeration. Buffer swabs contain no bacteriostatic or bactericidal compounds and cannot suppress the action of detergents.

SwapCheck

Used as an indication of hygiene on contact surfaces. SwapCheck changes color from purple to yellow. The color change is based on acid reaction with the indicator. The more rapid the color change, the higher the level of bacteria in the sample. SwabCheck is useful in determining the sanitation levels of preparation surfaces, filling ports, and processing areas in beverage and food processing plants, dairies, restaurants, and healthcare facilities.

Coliform SwabCheck

Escherichia coli and coliforms are used traditionally as indicator organisms for fecal contamination in water and other environmental samples. Detection of these organisms usually points to poor hygiene at some stage in the production process or pollution of water at source. The presence of coliforms is indicated by a color change from red to yellow. The more rapid the color change the higher the level of coliform bacteria.