YiHeng BPMJ-250F Mold Incubator

Overview

The YiHeng BPMJ-250F Mold Incubator is a purpose-engineered environmental chamber designed specifically for the controlled cultivation of filamentous fungi, yeasts, and other microorganisms requiring precise, stable, and contamination-minimized conditions. Unlike general-purpose incubators, this model integrates structural and operational features aligned with ISO 11133:2014 (microbiological culture media preparation) and CLSI M22-A3 (fungal susceptibility testing) requirements—particularly in maintaining consistent humidity retention and minimizing airborne microbial load during extended incubation periods (typically 3–14 days). Its natural convection architecture eliminates forced-air turbulence that may desiccate agar-based plates or disrupt mycelial growth morphology, while the integral polyurethane foam insulation ensures thermal inertia critical for overnight stability under variable ambient conditions. The unit operates without fluorinated refrigerants (CFC/HCFC-free), complying with EU F-Gas Regulation (EU No 517/2014) and supporting sustainable laboratory infrastructure planning.

Key Features

• Mirror-finish stainless steel interior with radius-cornered transitions—resistant to corrosion, non-porous, and compatible with standard laboratory disinfectants (e.g., 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite)
• Digital touchscreen controller with intuitive menu navigation and real-time multi-parameter display (setpoint, actual temperature, elapsed time, program stage)
• Fuzzy logic PID temperature regulation with programmable ramp rates, enabling gradual thermal transitions to prevent thermal shock during inoculation or subculture steps
• Three-level adjustable natural convection intensity—optimized to reduce evaporative loss from Petri dishes and slant cultures without compromising thermal homogeneity
• Dedicated 25 mm Ø access port on left chamber wall—facilitates integration with external sensors (e.g., CO₂ probes, humidity transmitters) or sterile tubing for gas supplementation
• Independent dual-limit overtemperature protection: primary control loop + hardware-based cut-off relay with audible/visual alarm per IEC 61000-6-2 EMC immunity standards
• Optional 254 nm UV-C germicidal lamp (mounted internally at ceiling)—validated for ≥99.9% reduction of airborne Aspergillus niger spores after 30 min exposure (per ISO 15714:2019)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BPMJ-250F accommodates standard microbiological consumables including 90 mm and 150 mm Petri dishes, test tubes (13×100 mm, 16×150 mm), agar slants, and multi-well plates (up to 6-well format). Its 250 L chamber volume supports batch processing of up to 120 standard Petri dishes per cycle. The unit meets GB/T 23789–2009 (Chinese national standard for biological incubators) and is CE-marked per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. For GLP-compliant labs, optional data logging (via USB/U-disk) enables audit-ready traceability of temperature history per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements when paired with validated timestamping firmware.

Software & Data Management

The built-in multi-stage programmable controller supports up to seven independent programs, each comprising nine sequential steps. Each step allows concurrent configuration of target temperature, dwell time (0–5999 min), and convection level—enabling complex protocols such as “25 °C for 48 h → ramp to 30 °C at 0.5 °C/h → hold for 72 h”. Temperature logs are stored internally (≥30 days at 1-min intervals) and exportable via USB 2.0 to FAT32-formatted U-disk in CSV format. Optional RS-485 Modbus RTU interface permits integration into centralized BMS (Building Management Systems) or LIMS environments using standard SCADA drivers. No proprietary software installation is required for basic data retrieval.

Applications

• ISO/IEC 17025-accredited mycological testing laboratories performing mold identification and enumeration (e.g., AOAC 995.14, USP <51>)
• Pharmaceutical QC labs conducting environmental monitoring (EM) of cleanroom isolators and aseptic processing areas
• Food safety testing facilities validating fungal spoilage resistance in shelf-life studies (per ISO 21527-1:2020)
• Academic research on thermotolerant fungal strains, antifungal agent screening, and sporulation kinetics
• Hospital microbiology departments performing dermatophyte isolation and identification (e.g., Trichophyton spp.)

FAQ

Does the BPMJ-250F support humidity control?
No—this is a dry incubator optimized for mold growth where ambient humidity (40–60% RH) is maintained externally. Active humidification is not integrated to avoid condensation-induced contamination risk.
Is the UV lamp included as standard equipment?
The UV-C germicidal lamp is an optional accessory. When installed, it operates independently of the temperature control system and includes a safety interlock that deactivates the lamp upon door opening.
Can the incubator be validated for IQ/OQ/PQ protocols?
Yes—its stable thermal performance (±0.5 °C fluctuation at 30 °C), documented sensor calibration traceability (NIST-traceable Pt100 probe), and programmable logging capability make it suitable for full GxP validation under ASTM E2500-13 guidelines.
What is the maximum ambient operating temperature for this unit?
Rated for continuous operation in rooms maintained at ≤30 °C and ≤80% non-condensing relative humidity, per IEC 61010-1:2010 Clause 6.3.2.
Are replacement parts and service support available outside China?
YiHeng maintains authorized service partners in Germany, USA, and Singapore. Compressor, controller PCB, and UV lamp assemblies are stocked globally with ≤5-business-day lead time for critical spares.