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MICA by Diamidex
The MICA platform by Diamidex combines patented labeling molecules with automated image reading to deliver results in Colony Forming Units (CFU) far faster than reference standard methods, while keeping a culture-based methodology recognized by regulators.
The MICA range covers two device families:
- MICA Advance, dedicated to water safety parameters (Legionella, E. coli, Total Coliforms, Alicyclobacillus),
- MICA Highlight, dedicated to Total Viable Count testing (water and soft drinks).
[Legionella MICA Advance]
Legionella (MICA Advance)
Legionella pneumophila is a ubiquitous bacterium capable of growing in its natural habitat — hot water — and can cause Legionnaires' disease when inhaled in contaminated water droplets. Diamidex's MICA Advance solution targets domestic hot water (DHW) systems and cooling tower water, with results equivalent to the ISO 11731 reference method but a simpler procedure.
Key benefits
- Results after 48 hours of incubation, compared to 10 to 14 days with the standard method
- Cultural method with results in CFU
- Detects and counts exclusively Legionella pneumophila, all serogroups
- Only one GVPC plate per sample, compared to 5 to 10 with the standard method
- 4 minutes of labor time per analysis, compared to 25 minutes on average with the standard method
- No additional confirmation required
- Up to 500 analyses per 8-hour period
- Limit of detection: 1 CFU/L (domestic hot water) — 50 CFU/L (cooling tower water)
[E coli MICA Advance]
E. coli (MICA Advance)
Escherichia coli is the reference faecal indicator organism used to assess the microbiological safety of drinking water, including both bottled and tap water. Diamidex's MICA Advance solution detects E. coli exclusively, following a procedure based on the ISO 9308-01 standard method with automatic detection.
Key benefits
• Results in 6 hours of incubation only, compared to 24 hours with the standard method
• Detects exclusively Escherichia coli
• Cultural method with results in CFU
• Up to 500 analyses per 8-hour period
• No additional confirmation required
• Limit of detection: 1 CFU / filtered volume
[Total Coliforms MICA Advance]
Total Coliforms (MICA Advance)
Total coliforms are a broad indicator group used to assess general hygienic water quality, for both bottled and tap drinking water. Diamidex's MICA Advance solution detects and enumerates total coliforms (including E. coli) with a cultural method based on the ISO 9308-01 standard, using the same consumables as the standard method (CCA agar and MCE membrane).
Key benefits
• Results in 10 hours of incubation only, compared to 48 hours with the standard method
• Detection and enumeration of total coliforms, including E. coli
• Cultural method with results in CFU
• No additional consumables compared to the standard ISO method
• No additional confirmation required
• Non-destructive method— membrane can be re-incubated for further identification
• Up to 500 analyses per 8-hour period
• Limit of detection: 1 CFU / filtered volume
[Alicyclobacillus MICA Advance]
Alicyclobacillus (MICA Advance)
Alicyclobacillus is a spore-forming, heat-resistant bacterium of concern in the fruit juice and beverage industry, where it can survive pasteurization and cause spoilage without visibly altering the product. Diamidex's MICA Advance solution detects guaiacol-positive Alicyclobacillus strains, including A. acidoterrestris, following the same procedure as the industry-recommended IFU No. 12:2019 method, on both filterable and non-filterable matrices (fruit juice, flavoured waters, other fruit drinks, and raw materials such as purées and hydrolats).
Key benefits
- Results from 24 hours for filterable samples, compared to 5 to 9 days with the IFU No. 12:2019 method
• Results from 2 days for non-filterable samples, compared to 10 to 14 days with the IFU method
• No confirmation test needed
• Cultural method with results in CFU
• Up to 500 analyses per 8-hour period
• Non-destructive method — membrane can be re-incubated for further identification
• Limit of detection: 1 CFU / membrane
[Total Viable Count MICA Highlight]
Total Viable Count (MICA Highlight)
Total Viable Count (bacteria, yeasts and molds) measures the overall microbial load in a sample, providing a general indicator of product freshness, process hygiene, and shelf-life. Diamidex offers two dedicated MICA Highlight solutions depending on the matrix: TVC Water and TVC Soft Drinks Spoilage Flora.
TVC — Water
Covers process, rinsing and washing waters (including initial bioburden assessment for medical devices), bottled and drinking water, and ingredient water for cosmetic or food use. Results are obtained by membrane filtration, with incubation time depending on the agar used.
Key benefits
• Results from 24 hours on PCA/TSA agar, 48 hours on SDA agar, up to 72 hours on R2A agar
• Cultural method with results in CFU
• No consumables required other than membrane and agar
• Up to 200 analyses per 8-hour period
• Non-destructive method— membrane can be re-incubated for further identification
• Limit of detection: 1 CFU / membrane
TVC — Soft Drinks Spoilage Flora
A dedicated all-in-one test for carbonated soft drinks (colas and flavoured sodas), non-carbonated flavoured drinks, energy drinks, and isotonic sports drinks, covering lactic and acetic spoilage bacteria, yeasts and molds in a single analysis.
Key benefits
• All-in-one test: bacteria, yeasts and molds in a single analysis
• Results in 48 hours, compared to up to 5 days with standard industry methods
• Cultural method with results in CFU
• No consumables required other than membrane and agar
• Up to 200 analyses per 8-hour period
• Non-destructive method— membrane can be re-incubated for further identification
• Limit of detection: 1 CFU / filtered volume
