EC Microbiology

The novel simplified laboratory method for the qualification of microbial air samplers has been previously described in the EN17141:2020 Cleanroom and associated controlled environment-Biocontamination Control document. This paper is to demonstrate the practical application of this method to validate the TRIO.BAS MONO-100 active air sampler, constructed to detect bioaerosols, to be applied to different environments with unknown or normal microbial concentrations. Airborne microbial particles, that include bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, and pollen grains with different size range, may compromise human health, and should be removed from clean rooms and hospital surgical sterile environments. The performance of TRIO.BAS MONO-100 air sampler was compared to the one of the previously qualified and calibrated air sampler MAS100 from Millipore (Bedford, MA, USA). The first series of tests was conducted at the qualified ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Statim laboratory in Milan, whereas the second one was performed in a laboratory at the University of Milan (UNIMI). Our results show a good biological efficiency of the TRIO.BAS MONO-100 air sampler in aspiring the airborne microorganisms. The average efficiency determined for the TRIO.BAS MONO-100 sampler in the two environments was 99% at Statim and 109% at UNIMI compare to MAS100 air sampler, used as a control device.

 Keywords: Air Sampler; Bioaerosol; Biological Collection Efficiency; CFU; Microorganisms; Moulds

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