MICROBIAL DETECTION DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
Devices for microbial detection of microorganisms are provided including a body member including a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The device further includes a first adhesive composition adhered to a portion of the first major surface. A number of particles of a substantially dry first microbial growth nutrient composition are distributed in the first adhesive composition, and a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition is adhered to the first adhesive composition. The device also includes a cover sheet attached to the body member, where the cover sheet includes a first major surface facing the body member. Devices including a water-proof pouch, further comprising a porous membrane filter are also provided. Methods for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample using the devices are additionally provided.
1 . A microbial detection device, the device comprising:
a body member comprising a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface;
a first adhesive composition adhered to a portion of the first major surface;
a plurality of particles of a substantially dry, first microbial growth nutrient composition distributed in the first adhesive composition;
a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the first adhesive composition; and
a cover sheet attached to the body member, wherein the cover sheet comprises a first major surface facing the body member.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second adhesive composition adhered to a portion of the first major surface of the cover sheet.
3 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of particles of a substantially dry, second microbial growth nutrient composition distributed in the second adhesive composition.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of particles of the second microbial growth composition comprise a plurality of clusters of particles of the second microbial growth composition.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles of the first microbial growth composition comprise a plurality of clusters of particles of the first microbial growth composition.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein an average length of the plurality of clusters of particles of the first microbial growth composition is 250 micrometers or less.
7 . The device of claim 5 , wherein an average length of the plurality of clusters of particles of the first microbial growth composition ranges from 10 micrometers to 100 micrometers, inclusive.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive composition comprises a solvent based adhesive.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive composition comprises an alkyl acrylate copolymer.
10 . A microbial detection device, comprising:
a water-proof pouch comprising:
a first wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a second wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a porous membrane filter disposed in the pouch between the inner surface of the first wall portion and the inner surface of the second wall portion, the membrane filter having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;
a first compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the first wall portion and defined in part by the first major surface of the membrane filter;
a sealable sample port that provides access to deposit a liquid into the first compartment;
a second compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the second wall portion and defined in part by the second major surface of the membrane filter;
wherein the membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment;
an adhesive composition adhered to a portion of the pouch in the first compartment;
a plurality of particles of a substantially dry, first microbial growth nutrient composition distributed in the adhesive composition;
a cold-water-soluble hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the adhesive composition; and
an absorbent pad disposed in the second compartment.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the device is dimensioned to receive a liquid sample having a volume between 25 mL and 150 mL, inclusive.
12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the adhesive composition comprises a solvent based adhesive.
13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of particles of the first microbial growth composition comprise a plurality of clusters of particles of the first microbial growth composition.
14 . A method for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample comprising:
providing a device according to claim 1 ;
separating the first layer from the second layer;
adding a predetermined volume of a sample containing at least one microorganism onto the first hydrogel-forming composition to form an inoculated device;
contacting the first layer back to the second layer;
incubating the inoculated device; and
detecting the presence or an absence of a colony of the target microorganism in the device.
15 . A method for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample comprising:
providing a device according to claim 10 ;
placing a predetermined volume of aqueous sample into the first compartment of the device;
sealing the sample port;
incubating the device; and
detecting the presence or an absence of a colony of the target microorganism in the device.