Using two MEDIAJET 540 Automatic Media Preparation Systems from INTEGRA Biosciences AG – Italy’s leading media kitchen – ‘Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna’ (IZSLER) has filled over 1.3 million perfect petri dishes without stopping over the last year.

The excellent reliability and true automation provided by the two MEDIAJET systems has significant reduced downtime and labour costs associated with older plate pouring systems previously used by IZSLER.

IZSLER (http://www.bs.izs.it/) is a leading company that offers top quality control and diagnostic services for the Italian food and veterinary industry. Investment in modern equipment and well-trained staff for its media preparation department allow IZSLER to regularly produce and supply plates for all its 30 regional laboratories.

With over 35,000 media plates required on a weekly basis, IZSLER selected the Integra Biosciences’ MEDIAJET 540, as it was the fastest Petri dish filler that provided truly reliable, walk away operation using a proven mechanical dish guidance system, monitored by a set of sensors throughout the filling process.

Dr Cesare Berneri, IZSLER Media Preparation Laboratory Manager commented “The excellent reliability and true walk-away automation provided by the MEDIAJET means that a dedicated operator is almost unnecessary. One person can take care of many MEDIAJETs”. He added “We have found that the MEDIAJET is very easy to clean and maintain. Using the system software is highly intuitive and calibration of the system easy. Operational downtime and media loss due to ‘dish jams’ resulting from variations in the diameter, shape and rim profile of the disposable plastic Petri

Dishes are completely eliminated. Further, the MEDIAJET has a unique ‘Media Spread Function’ capability that provides the most efficient use of media through ensuring homogeneous distribution and an even surface. Thus, minimising losses and easily regulating the agar level in each Petri dish the new system enables up to 30% savings on media use compared to some traditional systems.”