Microbiological dipslides are plastic paddles coated in ready to use agar (prepared culture media) and are used for microbiological monitoring of a surface or liquid. Each agar tests for a different group of micro organisms and will show growth if a particular contaminant is present in a sample.
Dipslides are a user friendly, ready made solution for those who need a convenient way of testing for contaminants in their products / environment.
How do I use a dipslide?
To test a sample for microorganisms, simply remove the slide from its container and immerse the slide within the sample. You can also swab a sample onto the slide or use it to test a surface. Once the sample has been deposited on both agars, the slide needs to be placed back into its container and incubated to allow growth (if contamination is present). After the incubation period, the slide can be analysed using the comparison chart provided.
For a step by step guide on on how to use a dipslide, please see:
https://dip-slides.com/blog/7-step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-use-a-dipslide
How do I interpret dipslide results?
The level of contamination can be determined by the amount of microbial colonies that appear on the agar. Colonies generally form as distinct dots of different shapes and sizes. Counting these dots then comparing them to the provided charts will allow you to calculate the contamination level. The contamination level is measured in the amount of colony forming units that are on the dipslide. The results are recorded as CFU/ml (if liquid was tested) or CFU/cm2 (if a surface was tested).