Microbiology Analytical Laboratory

Mindanao State University – General Santos City

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

AIRLOAD ANALYSIS

Introduction
The air sampling method is used to identify the presence or absence of an airborne
bacteria, yeast and molds condition on the different sites inside the laboratory and assess the
cleanliness and sanitation of the laboratory performed by the laboratory in-charge. The total
plate count is also included for the analysis.

Laboratory Apparatus
a. Sterile Petri Dish
b. 500 mL Erlenmeyer Flask
c. Alcohol Lamp
d. Colony Counter
e. Timer

Media and Reagents

a. Potato Dextrose Agar
b. Plate Count Agar

Sterilization
Sterilization of some of the laboratory apparatuses and culture media is done using an
digital steamer (Autoclave) at 121 °C for 15 minutes.

Procedures
a. Prepare all the needed apparatus and materials and the culture media necessary for the
analysis. Pour 18 to 20 mL of each prepared and sterilized media into coded sterile Petri
dishes. Allow the media to solidify for not more than an hour.
b. Leave one plate with Potato Dextrose Agar media and Plate Count Agar media
uncovered for 5 minutes in all selected areas. See Table 1 below for the sampling sites.
c. After 5 minutes of exposure, collect all plates and replace the dish cover, aseptically.
d. Flame the edges of the plates before the incubation.
e. Incubate the plates of Potato Dextrose Agar at 25 °C for 48 hours.
f. Incubate the plates of Plate Count Agar at 37 °C for 48 hours.

Reading of Results
At the end of the incubation, count the number of colonies using a colony counter and
record the number of colonies per 5 minutes of exposure.
 Microbiology Analytical Laboratory
Mindanao State University – General Santos City
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Standard
The standard for yeast and molds counts according to is less than 10 colony forming unit
(cfu), while the standard for the total plate count is 100 colony forming unit (cfu).

Table 1. Areas of Air Load Testing: Following through the process flow, all areas are
tested for microbial air load twice a month.

Sampling Sites Number of Samples

Lavatory – Hot Room 1
Comfort Room 1
Work Bench 1 1
Work Bench 2 1
Work Bench 3 1
Molecular Laboratory 1
Inoculation Room 1
Office Room 1