Burkard PASA Portable Agar Plate Air Sampler

Overview

The Burkard PASA Portable Agar Plate Air Sampler is a precision-engineered, volumetric microbial air sampler designed for quantitative assessment of airborne viable microorganisms—including bacteria, fungal spores, and yeasts—in controlled and field environments. Based on the Andersen impactor principle adapted for agar plate collection, the PASA directs sampled air through a 100-hole stainless steel sieve plate (1 mm diameter apertures) onto the surface of a standard 90 mm nutrient agar plate. This inertial impaction mechanism ensures reproducible deposition of particles ≥0.65 µm aerodynamic diameter, with a 50% cut-off size (D₅₀) empirically validated at approximately 2.56 µm—making it suitable for monitoring bioburden in cleanrooms, laminar flow cabinets, hospital isolation rooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing suites, agricultural facilities, and residential indoor air quality studies.

Key Features

• Compact, lightweight design (690 g) with aluminum and high-impact polymer housing for robust portability and ease of use in confined or remote locations.
• Dual power configuration: Integrated 6 V, 700 mAh NiCd battery enables 3–4 hours of continuous operation; optional AC adapters support 110 V / 60 Hz or 240 V / 50 Hz mains input for extended or stationary deployment.
• Precision Swiss DC gearmotor with precious-metal brushes delivers stable rotational speed and consistent airflow (10 or 20 LPM selectable via internal calibration), independent of battery voltage decay—ensured by an electronically compensated control circuit.
• Programmable interval timer (1–9 minutes) with “0” setting for continuous sampling; visual and audible status feedback via front-panel red LED (blinking during active sampling) and timed beeper (4-second interval post-cycle to confirm completion).
• Intuitive mechanical air shutoff slider beneath the sampling chamber allows immediate flow termination without powering down—critical for minimizing cross-contamination during plate exchange.
• Two interchangeable inlet caps: open grille cap functions as both air diffuser and petri dish sealing ring for maximal exposure; conical cap permits pre-pouring and sterilization of agar plates in-lab prior to field deployment.
• Quick-release top cover and removable silicone seal plug (center bore) facilitate rapid, contamination-free agar plate loading and retrieval under aseptic conditions.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PASA is fully compatible with all standard 90 mm Petri dishes containing TSA, SDA, malt extract agar, or other microbiologically appropriate media. Its physical design conforms to ISO 14698-1:2003 (Biocontamination control—Part 1: General principles and methods) and supports compliance with EU GMP Annex 1 (2022), USP <71>, and FDA guidance on environmental monitoring in sterile manufacturing. The device’s traceable airflow performance, mechanical repeatability, and lack of aerosol re-entrainment make it suitable for routine qualification, periodic verification, and trending per ISO 14644-1 and ISO 14644-2 requirements. Calibration certificates and operational qualification (OQ) documentation are available upon request for audit-ready validation packages.

Software & Data Management

The PASA operates as a standalone hardware platform with no embedded firmware or proprietary software dependency—ensuring long-term operational stability and eliminating cybersecurity concerns associated with connected instruments. All sampling parameters (duration, flow mode, start/stop timestamps) are manually recorded in laboratory notebooks or integrated into electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems via standardized SOP templates. For regulated environments, the device supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data capture when paired with validated ELN platforms that enforce user authentication, audit trails, and electronic signatures. Optional barcode labels and sample ID tags enable full traceability from sampling event to colony enumeration and reporting.

Applications

• Environmental monitoring in Grade A/B cleanrooms and isolators per EU GMP and ISO 14644 standards.
• Microbial risk assessment in livestock barns, hatcheries, grain storage facilities, and composting operations.
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations in hospitals, schools, offices, and residential buildings.
• Validation of HVAC filtration efficiency and disinfection efficacy (e.g., after hydrogen peroxide fogging or UV-C treatment).
• Baseline bioburden mapping in pharmaceutical R&D labs and cell therapy cleanrooms.
• Educational microbiology labs requiring hands-on, field-deployable air sampling instrumentation.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the PASA?

Calibration of flow rate should be performed prior to first use, after any maintenance affecting the motor or sieve plate, and at least annually—or per facility SOP—using a calibrated flowmeter traceable to NIST or UKAS standards.
Can the PASA be used with selective media for specific pathogen detection?

Yes. The device imposes no thermal or chemical constraints on media selection; users may employ chromogenic, antibiotic-supplemented, or differential agars compatible with downstream identification protocols.
Is the NiCd battery replaceable by the end user?

The battery pack is serviceable by authorized Burkard technicians; replacement requires recalibration of the motor control circuit to maintain flow accuracy.
Does the PASA meet ISO 8573-7 for compressed air testing?

No—the PASA is designed for ambient air sampling only and lacks pressure-rated inlet fittings or moisture-trap integration required for compressed gas applications.
How is recovery efficiency verified for different microbial species?

Recovery validation must be conducted in-house using reference aerosols (e.g., Bacillus atrophaeus, Aspergillus niger) per ISO 14698-2, accounting for agar formulation, incubation conditions, and operator technique.