Burkard High-Flow Jet-Type Spore and Particulate Sampler

Overview

The Burkard High-Flow Jet-Type Spore and Particulate Sampler is an engineered air sampling instrument designed for quantitative, non-destructive collection of viable airborne biological particles—including fungal spores, pollen, bacteria, and inert particulates—in the 5–50 µm aerodynamic diameter range. It operates on the principle of inertial impaction via a calibrated high-velocity jet stream directed onto a rotating agar-coated or adhesive-coated Petri dish or microscope slide. Unlike filtration-based samplers, this device preserves sample viability and morphology by minimizing shear stress and thermal degradation during collection. Its compact, self-contained architecture enables field-deployable operation in diverse environmental monitoring settings—such as cleanrooms, hospitals, agricultural facilities, biocontainment laboratories, and outdoor atmospheric studies—where regulatory-grade, reproducible bioaerosol data are required.

Key Features

• Robust acrylic construction (Perspex®) ensures chemical resistance, optical clarity for visual inspection, and structural integrity under sustained vacuum load.
• Integrated 12 V DC motor with precision-matched impeller delivers stable flow across variable backpressure conditions; rated current draw: 4–5 A.
• Modular design supports rapid media exchange—standard 90 mm Petri dishes or custom slides—without recalibration or tooling.
• Compact footprint (44.5 × 41.3 × 26.7 cm) and net weight of 11.25 kg enable single-operator portability and tripod-mount compatibility.
• Calibrated jet nozzle geometry ensures ≥95% collection efficiency for particles within the 5–50 µm range, validated per ISO 14698-1 Annex B and ASTM D6329 guidance for bioaerosol sampling.
• Thermal management system maintains consistent jet velocity and minimizes condensation-induced flow drift during extended operation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The sampler accommodates standard microbiological growth media (e.g., malt extract agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar) and inert collection substrates (e.g., gelatin filters, silicone-coated slides). It is routinely employed in compliance with EU GMP Annex 1 (2022), USP , and ISO 14644-1/ISO 14644-2 for environmental monitoring in pharmaceutical manufacturing and sterile compounding facilities. While not intrinsically certified for explosion-proof use, its non-sparking motor and absence of internal electronics make it suitable for Class II, Division 2 environments when operated with appropriate external power conditioning. Device calibration traceability follows NIST-traceable flow standards, and routine verification is supported by primary-standard rotameters or electronic mass flow meters.

Software & Data Management

This is a hardware-only, analog-operated sampling platform with no embedded firmware or onboard data logging. Flow rate is verified externally using calibrated secondary standards prior to each sampling campaign. All operational parameters—including start/stop time, ambient temperature/humidity, media lot number, and sampling location—are manually recorded in laboratory notebooks or electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements. Integration with LIMS is achieved via structured CSV export from ELN systems or barcode-scanned media tracking. Audit trails for calibration records, maintenance logs, and sampling event metadata must be retained for minimum periods defined by GLP and GMP quality systems.

Applications

• Real-time assessment of airborne fungal burden in HVAC ducts, hospital wards, and post-construction indoor environments.
• Baseline and trending studies of outdoor spore load in agricultural epidemiology and climate-related allergen forecasting.
• Validation of decontamination efficacy following hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) or chlorine dioxide fumigation cycles.
• Investigative sampling during suspected nosocomial infection outbreaks linked to airborne transmission pathways.
• Supporting ISO 14698-2 risk assessments through quantitative colony-forming unit (CFU)/m³ enumeration and morphological identification.
• Field deployment in biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment zones where electrical safety and mechanical simplicity are prioritized over digital connectivity.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for this sampler?
Calibration against a NIST-traceable reference flowmeter is required before first use, after any mechanical impact or nozzle cleaning, and at least daily during continuous multi-day campaigns.
Can the sampler operate continuously for more than 5 hours?
Continuous operation beyond 5 hours at maximum flow and resistance is not recommended due to thermal accumulation in the motor assembly; duty cycling (e.g., 4 h on / 1 h off) extends service life beyond 400 h.
Is the device compatible with liquid impingers or cascade impactors?
No—this is a dedicated inertial impaction sampler; it does not support alternative collection geometries or fluid-based capture mechanisms.
Does the sampler meet FDA or EPA regulatory requirements for environmental monitoring?
While not FDA-cleared as a medical device, it fulfills technical criteria referenced in FDA Guidance for Industry: Sterile Drug Products Produced by Aseptic Processing (2004) and EPA Compendium Method TO-13A for viable bioaerosol sampling.
What maintenance procedures are required between sampling events?
Post-use cleaning includes alcohol wipe-down of the jet nozzle and chamber interior, visual inspection for agar overflow or debris, and verification of Petri dish centering tolerance (±0.5 mm) using the alignment gauge provided.