Millipore® MAS-100 ECO Air Microbial Sampler

Overview

The Millipore® MAS-100 ECO Air Microbial Sampler is a compact, portable, and CE-marked active air sampler engineered for quantitative assessment of viable airborne microorganisms in controlled environments. It operates on the principle of inertial impaction: aerosolized particles are drawn through a precisely engineered stainless-steel impactor head at a defined volumetric flow rate and accelerated onto the surface of standard 90 mm or 100 mm nutrient agar plates. Upon impaction, viable microorganisms retain culturability and grow into discrete, countable colonies following incubation—enabling enumeration per ISO 14698-1, EU GMP Annex 1, and USP . Designed as a streamlined variant of the established MAS-100® platform, the MAS-100 ECO maintains core metrological integrity while optimizing footprint, weight, and operational efficiency for routine environmental monitoring in cleanrooms, isolators, aseptic processing suites, and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

Key Features

• Compact and lightweight design (≤3.5 kg), facilitating rapid deployment across multiple sampling points without compromising structural rigidity or sampling repeatability.
• Adjustable volumetric flow rate from 1 to 1000 L/min, calibrated and verified per ISO 8573-1 and traceable to national standards; flow stability maintained within ±4% at nominal 100 L/min setting.
• Integrated digital flow meter with real-time display and automatic flow compensation logic to mitigate pressure drop effects during extended runs.
• Robust stainless-steel impactor head featuring 400 precisely aligned micro-nozzles (diameter: 0.25 mm), optimized for ≥99.9% collection efficiency of particles ≥1 µm aerodynamic diameter (validated per ISO 14698-2).
• Battery-powered operation (rechargeable Li-ion) supports up to three hours of continuous sampling—ideal for unattended monitoring during shift transitions or qualification studies.
• IP54-rated enclosure ensures resistance to dust ingress and incidental moisture exposure during routine handling in GxP environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MAS-100 ECO accepts standard Petri dishes (90 mm or 100 mm) filled with commonly used microbiological media—including Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA), Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), and Dichloran Glycerol 18 (DG18)—without adapter requirements. Its performance validation data aligns with regulatory expectations for environmental monitoring under FDA 21 CFR Part 211, EU GMP Annex 1 (2022 revision), and ISO 14644-2:2015. Each unit ships with a factory calibration certificate referencing EN ISO/IEC 17025-accredited procedures. Routine user verification can be performed using certified flow calibrators (e.g., DryCal® DC-Lite) and biological challenge tests per ISO 14698-2 protocols.

Software & Data Management

While the MAS-100 ECO operates as a standalone instrument without embedded software, it is fully compatible with Millipore’s optional MAS-Link™ PC application (v3.2+), enabling automated logging of sampling parameters—including start/stop timestamps, actual flow rate, total sampled volume, and operator ID. Exported CSV files support integration into LIMS platforms compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated electronic signature workflows. Audit trail functionality records all parameter modifications, ensuring full traceability for GLP/GMP audits.

Applications

• Routine environmental monitoring (EM) programs in Grade A/B/C/D cleanrooms per EU GMP and ISO 14644-1 classifications.
• Media fill simulation support and aseptic process validation (APV) studies.
• Investigation of microbial excursions and root cause analysis in manufacturing areas.
• Qualification and requalification of HVAC systems, isolators, and laminar flow hoods.
• Environmental surveillance in hospital pharmacies, cell therapy labs, and biobanking facilities.

FAQ

What is the recommended calibration frequency for the MAS-100 ECO?

Annual recalibration by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory is recommended; interim user verification using a traceable flow calibrator should be performed before each critical sampling campaign.
Can the MAS-100 ECO be used with contact plates or other non-Petri dish formats?

No—it is mechanically and aerodynamically optimized exclusively for standard 90 mm or 100 mm Petri dishes. Contact plates require dedicated impactor adapters not supported by this model.
Does the MAS-100 ECO meet ISO 14698-1 requirements for viability preservation?

Yes—validation studies demonstrate ≥95% recovery of test organisms (e.g., Bacillus subtilis spores, Aspergillus niger conidia) under nominal operating conditions, satisfying the “viability retention” criterion outlined in Clause 6.3 of ISO 14698-1.
Is the battery replaceable by the end user?

The rechargeable Li-ion battery is field-replaceable using standard Torx tools; replacement kits (P/N MAS-ECO-BAT-KIT) are available through authorized Millipore distributors.
How is flow accuracy maintained across varying ambient temperatures?

Internal thermal compensation algorithms adjust motor drive signals in real time based on sensor feedback, minimizing drift across the full 0–40 °C operating range.