ZOLLO MJX150S Mold Incubation Chamber

Overview

The ZOLLO MJX150S Mold Incubation Chamber is a purpose-engineered environmental test chamber designed to maintain precise and stable temperature and relative humidity conditions for controlled fungal growth, microbiological culture, and long-term stability testing of biological and material samples. Operating on a dual-control principle—thermoelectric cooling via a high-efficiency imported compressor combined with ultrasonic humidification—the MJX150S delivers reproducible environmental profiles essential for ISO 14644-1 cleanroom qualification support, ASTM G21-21 antifungal efficacy validation, and ICH Q1A(R3) stability protocol execution. Its stainless steel interior, seamless welded construction, and triple-layer insulated glass door minimize thermal bridging and condensation risk while enabling non-intrusive visual monitoring without compromising chamber integrity.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based control system with intuitive touch-panel interface and dual independent digital displays for real-time monitoring of temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%RH).
• Ultrasonic humidification system ensures rapid, uniform moisture distribution with ±5 %RH stability across the full 50–95 %RH operating range—critical for consistent spore germination and hyphal development studies.
• Optimized air circulation architecture featuring rear-mounted centrifugal fan and perforated stainless steel shelving promotes laminar airflow and achieves ±0.5 °C temperature uniformity throughout the 150 L working volume (per ISO 27668-1 verification methodology).
• Robust mechanical design includes reinforced alloy frame, three-layer vacuum-insulated observation door, and independent door latch mechanism to prevent accidental opening during extended incubation cycles.
• Comprehensive safety suite: independent over-temperature cutoff, PT100 sensor fault detection, and automatic power-down upon critical parameter deviation—fully compliant with IEC 61010-1 Class II safety requirements.
• Standard configuration supports manual operation; optional upgrades include 30-segment programmable logic control (PLC) or bidirectional RS485/USB communication for integration into LabVantage or Thermo Fisher SampleManager LIMS environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MJX150S accommodates standard Petri dishes (90 mm and 150 mm), multi-well plates (6–96-well), slant tubes, and small animal cages (up to 20 cm height). Its stainless steel interior (AISI 304, electropolished finish) resists corrosion from repeated exposure to high-humidity fungal media (e.g., Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar) and common sterilants (70 % ethanol, 1 % sodium hypochlorite). The chamber meets key regulatory benchmarks for environmental simulation equipment: it supports GLP-compliant audit trails when paired with optional data logging firmware (21 CFR Part 11–ready), aligns with ISO 8573-1 Class 3 compressed air purity references for ancillary systems, and facilitates adherence to USP <1116> environmental monitoring guidance for pharmaceutical microbiology laboratories.

Software & Data Management

While the base unit operates in standalone mode, the optional PC interface module enables time-synchronized acquisition of temperature and humidity logs at user-defined intervals (1–60 min resolution). Exported CSV files are compatible with JMP, MATLAB, and Python pandas workflows for statistical process control (SPC) analysis—including Shewhart X̄-R charting per ASTM E2587. Firmware v2.3+ supports configurable alarm thresholds, event timestamping (with UTC sync), and encrypted local storage (microSD slot, up to 32 GB). All data records include operator ID fields and tamper-evident checksums—enabling traceability required under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B for electronic records in regulated biopharma settings.

Applications

• Fungal strain isolation and maintenance per CLSI M38-A3 guidelines.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of molds against azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes.
• Accelerated aging studies for medical device packaging per ISO 11607-1 Annex B.
• Seed germination assays under controlled hygrometric stress (ISTA Rule 5B).
• Long-term viability assessment of lyophilized probiotics and spore-forming bacteria.
• Environmental simulation for electronics component testing per MIL-STD-810H Method 507.6 (humidity exposure).

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable load volume for optimal humidity uniformity?
For guaranteed ±5 %RH uniformity, total sample volume should not exceed 30 % of internal chamber capacity (i.e., ≤45 L for the MJX150S). Exceeding this threshold may require extended equilibration time (≥90 min) post-door opening.
Does the ultrasonic humidifier require deionized water?
Yes. Use of DI water (resistivity ≥1 MΩ·cm) prevents mineral deposition on transducers and extends service life beyond 12,000 operational hours.
Can the MJX150S be validated per IQ/OQ protocols?
Yes. ZOLLO provides a factory-verified calibration certificate (NIST-traceable PT100 and capacitive RH sensors) and supports third-party PQ using Fluke 1524 or similar thermohygrometers per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs.
Is the stainless steel interior passivated per ASTM A967?
Yes. Electropolishing is followed by nitric acid passivation (ASTM A967 Method A) to achieve Cr/Fe surface ratio >1.5 and eliminate free iron contamination.
What is the mean time between failures (MTBF) for the compressor subsystem?
Based on accelerated life testing (IEC 60068-2-64), MTBF exceeds 35,000 hours under continuous 25 °C / 70 %RH operation with scheduled maintenance every 12 months.