When you are in the field:
• Find a flat area! Always place kit on a
firm surface where it is easy to work
• Work in the shade where possible!
•
Use the work surface in the kits - sterilise
it before commencing and repeat as
necessary to avoid cross-contamination
• After sterilisation of the MFU, rinse the
sample cup 3 times with the sample
to remove any traces of methanol
• Remember: The MFU apparatus needs
to be sterilised BEFORE you take
each new sample - not just prior to
the first sample
• Remember: After preparing samples
for incubation, label each petri dish
with the relevant information - sample
no./time/source name etc. using
the pen provided
• Remember: If collecting the sample in
a bottle, store below 4ºC and analyse
within 4-6 hours
• Remember: Switch the incubator on
30 minutes before use to allow time for
incubation temperature to be reached.
The incubator will show ‘warming up’
during this initial period
• Remember: At least one hour
and no more than four hours for
resuscitation periods
Ensure you have considered the following
additional items that may be required in
addition to the Potatest
®
+ contents:
• Sterilised sampling bottles/
Wagsac sampling bags
• Result form/log book
• Methanol
• Non-electric autoclave/pressure cooker
• Cigarette lighter
• Paper towel
• Liquid detergent
• De-ionised water
• Waste disposal bags
• Cool box/icepacks
Before leaving for the field, ensure
the following has been carried out:
• The equipment is sterilised
wherever possible
• Sufficient petri dishes, absorbent
pads, membrane filters, culture
media and reagents are available
• Prepare MLSB media in Media
Measuring Device (MMD) - enough
for one day’s testing. If using
previously prepared media ensure
the media is still bright pink and
is not cloudy
• If time is available, prepare the petri
dishes with pads before travelling to
the field. This also allows absorbent
pads to avoid contamination in the field
• If dishes are prepared before
departure, an additional one or
two are recommended for potential
mishaps in the field
• Sterilise the Membrane Filtration Unit
(MFU) so it is ready for immediate use
Note: Field testing requires careful planning
33
9
Appendix 1 - Field Testing Check List - Hints
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