BZG30 Colony Counter

Overview

The BZG30 Colony Counter is a precision-engineered, CE-certified manual colony counting instrument designed for routine and high-throughput microbiological analysis in academic, clinical, pharmaceutical, and food safety laboratories. It operates on the principle of pressure-sensitive tactile detection: when a user touches the counting surface with the optional KS30 stylus or compatible marking pen, a calibrated piezoresistive sensor array registers the contact event and increments the LED counter (0–999) in real time. Unlike optical or image-based automated systems, the BZG30 delivers deterministic, operator-controlled enumeration without dependency on image segmentation algorithms, illumination uniformity, or colony contrast thresholds—making it especially reliable for heterogeneous or low-contrast colonies on opaque or textured agar media (e.g., R2A, VRBA, or blood agar). Its robust mechanical architecture eliminates moving parts subject to wear, ensuring long-term reproducibility under GLP-compliant workflows.

Key Features

• Pressure-sensitive counting surface with uniform sensitivity across entire 100 mm active area—no dead zones or edge attenuation
• Three-level adjustable magnification lens (100 mm diameter) mounted on flexible gooseneck arm for ergonomic positioning and parallax-free viewing
• Dual-mode illumination system: selectable direct (top-down) or indirect (edge-lit diffuse) lighting to optimize contrast for dark or light-colored media
• Integrated zero-potential protection circuitry to suppress AC line interference and ensure stable signal acquisition during prolonged use
• Acoustic echo-compensation algorithm that dynamically adjusts baseline response to compensate for minor variations in Petri dish mass or thickness (e.g., polystyrene vs. glass)
• LED display with reset-to-zero function and non-volatile memory retention for session continuity
• Modular accessory interface supporting KS30 stylus and interchangeable grid overlays (standard 4×4 and 5×5 grid inserts included)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BZG30 accommodates standard 90 mm and 100 mm Petri dishes (both plastic and glass), including vented and non-vented formats. Its tactile counting method is insensitive to colony morphology, pigmentation, or transparency—enabling consistent enumeration of yeasts, molds, aerobic/anaerobic bacteria, and slow-growing organisms without preprocessing or staining. The device complies with CE marking requirements per Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD), and its design supports adherence to ISO 4833-1:2013 (microbiological methods—horizontal method for enumeration of microorganisms) and FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Chapter 3 protocols. While not a regulated data-acquisition system under 21 CFR Part 11, its manual, traceable counting process aligns with audit-ready documentation practices in GMP and ISO 17025 environments.

Software & Data Management

The BZG30 is a standalone hardware instrument with no embedded firmware or network connectivity. All counting operations are performed locally via tactile input; no software installation, driver configuration, or cloud synchronization is required. Count values are displayed on the integrated LED screen and may be manually recorded into laboratory notebooks, LIMS, or Excel-based tracking sheets. For laboratories requiring digital integration, the unit’s physical reset button and unambiguous visual output support structured manual transcription with minimal error risk—consistent with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available).

Applications

• Routine QC testing of raw materials, finished products, and environmental swabs in food and beverage manufacturing
• Enumeration of total viable counts (TVC), coliforms, and pathogenic indicators (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) per ISO, AOAC, or USP <61> guidelines
• Antimicrobial efficacy testing (e.g., ISO 22196, ASTM E2149) where precise colony differentiation is critical
• Teaching laboratories requiring intuitive, low-maintenance instrumentation for undergraduate microbiology courses
• Resource-constrained settings where power stability, calibration simplicity, and absence of consumables (e.g., camera lenses, software licenses) are operational priorities

FAQ

Does the BZG30 require calibration or periodic verification?
No formal calibration is required; however, daily verification using a pre-counted reference plate (e.g., 50 ± 2 colonies) is recommended per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7 to confirm tactile responsiveness and display accuracy.
Can the BZG30 be used with membrane filtration samples?
Yes—the counting surface accepts standard 47 mm or 50 mm filter membranes placed directly on the stage; the stylus detects contact through the membrane without compromising sensitivity.
Is the KS30 stylus mandatory for operation?
No—the unit responds to any firm, localized pressure (e.g., fingertip or standard lab pencil), but the KS30 stylus ensures optimal force distribution and minimizes surface wear over time.
What maintenance is required?
Wipe the counting surface and lens with lint-free cloth and 70% ethanol weekly; inspect gooseneck arm tension quarterly; no internal servicing is specified by the manufacturer.
Does the device support export of count data?
No native data export capability exists; counts must be transcribed manually, preserving full audit trail integrity without electronic intermediaries.