FOSS BacSomatic Integrated Milk Bacterial and Somatic Cell Counter
| Brand | FOSS |
|---|---|
| Origin | Denmark |
| Model | BacSomatic |
| Automation | Fully Automatic |
| Analysis Speed | 40 samples/hour |
| Detection Range | SCC: 100,000–1,500,000 cells/mL |
| IBC | 5,000,000–20,000,000 IBC/mL |
| Repeatability | SCC: CV < 3% at 500,000 cells/mL |
| Accuracy | SCC: Typical Sy,x < 0.25 log units vs. Standard Plate Count (SPC) |
Overview
The FOSS BacSomatic is a fully automated, integrated analyzer engineered for simultaneous quantification of total bacterial count (IBC) and somatic cell count (SCC) in raw milk — including bovine, ovine, caprine, and camelid milk. It employs flow cytometry-based optical detection, leveraging fluorescent DNA-binding dyes and proprietary hydrodynamic focusing to resolve individual microbial and cellular particles in suspension. Unlike conventional plate-count or microscopic methods, BacSomatic delivers results without culture incubation or manual staining, enabling rapid, objective, and operator-independent assessment of udder health and milking hygiene. As the first commercially deployed instrument capable of concurrent IBC and SCC measurement in a single assay cycle, it replaces labor-intensive, reagent-dependent semi-automated workflows while maintaining methodological continuity with globally established FOSS platforms — notably BactoScan™ and Fossomatic™ — ensuring cross-laboratory comparability and regulatory alignment.
Key Features
- Fully enclosed, single-use reagent bag system eliminates direct user contact with dyes and buffers, supporting occupational safety and GLP-compliant handling.
- Integrated sensor within each reagent bag monitors remaining assay capacity and triggers automated low-reagent alerts, minimizing run interruption and consumable waste.
- Touchscreen interface with intuitive workflow navigation requires no specialized training; calibration, validation, and routine operation are guided stepwise via on-screen prompts.
- Embedded Ethernet and optional Wi-Fi connectivity enable remote performance monitoring, firmware updates, and secure data export — compatible with LIMS integration via standard protocols (e.g., ASTM E1384, HL7).
- Robust architecture designed for dairy receiving stations and quality control labs: IP54-rated enclosure, ambient operating range of 10–30 °C, and tolerance to typical farm-site power fluctuations.
- Automated fluidics ensure precise, reproducible reagent dosing and sample dilution — eliminating volumetric pipetting errors common in manual or semi-automated alternatives.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
BacSomatic accepts untreated, chilled raw milk (pasteurized or homogenized samples are not supported). It has been validated for use with cow, goat, sheep, and camel milk, accommodating natural variations in fat content (0.5–6.5% w/w), protein concentration, and inherent autofluorescence. Method performance meets ISO 13366-1:2015 (for SCC) and ISO 4833-1:2013 (for microbiological enumeration by flow cytometry), and aligns with EU Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 for raw milk acceptance criteria. Data integrity features include electronic audit trails, user-level access control, and timestamped result logs — supporting compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements for computerized systems in GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
The onboard BacSomatic Software Suite (v4.x) provides real-time visualization of scatter and fluorescence histograms, QC trend charts, and batch-level statistical summaries (mean, SD, CV, pass/fail status per ISO-defined thresholds). All results are stored locally with SHA-256 hashing and may be exported in CSV, PDF, or XML formats. Optional FOSS Connect cloud service enables centralized fleet management across multiple sites, automatic backup, and customizable reporting dashboards for QA managers. Software validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ protocols) and electronic signature support are available upon request for regulated users.
Applications
- Real-time acceptance testing of incoming raw milk at dairy intake bays, enabling immediate segregation of non-conforming batches prior to processing.
- On-farm mastitis screening and herd health monitoring through daily or shift-based SCC trending.
- Verification of cleaning-in-place (CIP) efficacy via post-rinse bacterial load assessment.
- Support for supplier quality scorecards and contractual penalty clauses tied to SCC/IBC thresholds.
- Reference method correlation studies in accredited milk testing laboratories seeking orthogonal verification against ISO-standard plate counts.
FAQ
What sample volume is required per analysis?
A single 1.5 mL aliquot of raw milk is sufficient for both IBC and SCC measurement.
Can BacSomatic analyze frozen or preserved milk samples?
No — only fresh, refrigerated (2–6 °C), unpreserved raw milk is supported. Freezing induces cell lysis and bacterial clumping, compromising cytometric resolution.
Is routine calibration required between runs?
No daily calibration is needed; the system performs self-diagnostic checks at startup and validates fluidic integrity before each assay using internal reference beads.
How does BacSomatic handle high-fat or high-protein milk matrices?
The instrument’s adaptive gain control and dual-channel fluorescence compensation automatically adjust for matrix-induced signal attenuation, ensuring consistent sensitivity across species and lactation stages.
Does the system support multi-user environments with role-based permissions?
Yes — administrator, operator, and viewer profiles can be configured with granular access rights to settings, reports, and audit logs.
