BBL™ D/E Neutralizing Agar, RODAC™ Plate

BBL™ D/E Neutralizing Agar, RODAC™ Plate

BBL™ D/E Neutralizing Agar in a RODAC™ (Replicate Organism Detection and Counting) Plate format is a prepared, ready-to-use contact agar plate designed for environmental and surface microbiological monitoring. The plate is filled to a convex (domed) surface to enable direct contact sampling of flat, non-porous areas commonly evaluated in controlled environments, including cleanrooms, compounding and preparation areas, laboratories, and healthcare or manufacturing settings. D/E Neutralizing Agar is formulated to support recovery of a broad range of microorganisms that may be present on surfaces while helping to neutralize residual disinfectants that can otherwise suppress growth and lead to false-low counts.

Intended Use

This prepared plate is intended for qualitative and quantitative assessment of microbial contamination on surfaces using the contact plate method. After contact with the test surface, plates are incubated under appropriate conditions and examined for colony growth and enumeration as defined by the user’s program, applicable standards, and local procedures.

Key Features

• Prepared RODAC™ format: Domed agar surface supports consistent contact sampling of flat surfaces.
• Neutralizing formulation: Designed to inactivate or reduce the activity of common disinfectant residues to improve organism recovery.
• Broad recovery: Nutrient base supports growth of many bacteria and fungi typically encountered in environmental monitoring.
• Convenient workflow: Ready-to-use, standardized plates help streamline routine sampling and reduce preparation variability.

Neutralization and Medium Characteristics

D/E Neutralizing Agar includes a balanced combination of nutrients and neutralizing agents. The neutralizers are selected to counteract a range of antimicrobial chemistries frequently used in sanitation programs, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, phenolics, iodine-based preparations, chlorine-containing agents, and related disinfectant residues. By reducing carryover inhibition, the medium supports more accurate detection and enumeration of viable organisms transferred from the sampled surface.

How the Plate Is Used

1. Label the plate according to the sampling plan.
2. Remove the lid and gently press the convex agar surface onto the target area with even pressure for a defined contact time.
3. Replace the lid, transport promptly, and incubate using conditions appropriate for the organisms of interest.
4. Examine for colony growth, count colonies when required, and document results per procedure.

Storage and Handling

Store plates as specified by the manufacturer, typically refrigerated and protected from dehydration, excessive heat, and light. Allow plates to equilibrate to room temperature before use to minimize condensation. Do not use plates that show cracks, excessive drying, contamination, or other damage. Follow aseptic technique to reduce the risk of environmental contamination during sampling and incubation.

Limitations

Contact plates are best suited for smooth, flat, non-porous surfaces; uneven or porous materials may require alternative sampling methods. Neutralization capacity is finite and may be overwhelmed by heavy disinfectant residue or improper sampling technique. Incubation conditions and interpretation criteria must be selected by the user based on the monitoring program and applicable guidance. This product is for microbiological testing and is not intended to diagnose disease.