Receiving and Storing Plates
- Please provide at least 3 business day's note to IMS when ordering Agar plates, ideally agar plates should be shipped early in the week.
- Upon receiving your plates, immediately store refrigerated with the plates inverted (agar on topside). This avoids moisture on the agar.
- Keep the bag slightly loose to avoid moisture buildup.
- Plates typically have 7-8 days shelf life when properly refrigerated.
- Sample and return plates to Impact Microbiology Services as soon as possible after receipt.
Sampling Instructions
1. Set the Plates
- Place on Total Bacteria Count (TBC) plate and/or on Yeast/Mold plate at the sampling location.
- Uncover the agar bottom (remove the lid) and leave the plate open to the environment for 20 minutes.
- A second plate is included marked as "sterility." The sterility plate is used to verify agar during shipping to and from the lab. Please do not open the sterility plate.
2. Cover and Refrigerate
- After 20 minutes, carefully replace the cover onto the plate.
- Immediately place the plate in a refrigerator inverted (agar on topside) to avoid condensation dripping on the agar surface.
3. Ship the Plates
- Ship the plates inverted (agar on topside) with ice packs inside a cooler.
- Avoid shipping plates on Fridays to prevent them from sitting in shipping facilities over the weekend.
For detailed instructions on where to ship your samples, click here.
Need Help of Want to Learn More?
Our team of experts is here to assist you with your microbiological monitoring needs. Whether you have questions, need technical support, or want to learn more, email lab@impactmicrobiology.com or call +1 506 459 8777 to get started.