FASTER MICROBIAL DETECTION, FASTER RESPONSE TO CONTAMINATIONS
The sooner issues are identified, the sooner corrective actions can be taken. Traditional and alternative microbial testing methods often require several days to deliver results and typically provide only end-point measurements. The calScreener® and caloTrace® are based on isothermal microcalorimetry, which detects the metabolic heat produced by microorganisms with exceptional sensitivity. This enables detection of microbial activity within just a few hours. Continuous real-time monitoring eliminates the need to wait for the full test cycle to finish, as contamination is automatically flagged as soon as it is detected.
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Reduce inventory and improve warehouse utilization
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Shorten production and release cycles
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Respond faster to contamination events
MICROBIAL TESTING WITH BIOCALORIMETRY
Where optical, molecular, and culture-based tests struggle with product characteristics, limited sensitivity, and complex sample preparation, biocalorimetry excels:
- Provides direct and sensitive measurement in thick, opaque, and viscous materials
- Reliable across both preservative-heavy and clean-label formulations
- Versatile for measurements on raw materials, intermediates, and final products
FASTER FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT & ACCELERATED QUALITY CONTROL
Depending solely on external laboratories using traditional plating tests is problematic, as it often means weeks of waiting for results, delaying the ability to safely release products to customers. Performing microbial laboratory testing internally through biocalorimetry accelerate both formulation development and quality control timelines.
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Raw materials: Screen incoming ingredients for contamination risks
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In-Process: Microbial load testing and process control
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Finished Product QC & Release: Rapid testing for faster and safer product release
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Challenge Testing & Stability Studies: Faster testing of microbial survival, regrowth, or stress responses to validate preservatives and formulation robustness
More Efficient Challenge Testing
Microbial challenge testing is used to assess the efficacy of preservatives, ensuring protection against microbial growth throughout the intended shelf life and consumer use. Traditional plating methods are often slow and labor-intensive. The calScreener enables faster and more sensitive detection by measuring microbial metabolic activity in real-time, eliminating the need for dilutions, plating, and waiting for colonies to become visible.
Up to 32 samples can be run in parallel, with samples easily added to growth media vials and loaded directly into the system. This reduces manual handling, costs, and waste while increasing testing throughput. In addition to automated positive or negative results, continuous thermograms provide deeper insights into preservative efficacy and microbial response.
Rapid Microbial Detection for Cosmetics & Skincare
Ensuring microbial safety in cosmetics and skincare is increasingly challenging as brands reduce preservatives and move toward cleaner formulations. Traditional culture-based assays are slow and often miss low-level contamination in viscous creams and complex emulsions. Biocalorimetry enables direct, label-free testing of creams, serums, balms, gels, and emulsions without dilution or enrichment. Its high sensitivity — down to only a few CFU — allows early detection of very low microbial loads throughout development and manufacturing. This makes it a powerful solution for brands focused on product safety and clean, consumer-friendly ingredients.
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Accelerated contamination Testing of Consumer Goods & Personal Care
Maintaining microbial quality in liquid consumer products such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and detergents is essential for safety and shelf-life. Traditional microbial assays often struggle with surfactants, dyes, and preservatives, leading to delayed or false results. Biocalorimetry enables rapid, growth-based detection of live microorganisms with high sensitivity, even in surfactant-rich or foamy formulations. This accelerates QC workflows and provides reliable microbial assurance for high-volume consumer goods production.
Preventing Microbial Spoilage in Paints, Coatings, and Chemical Products
Microbial contamination in water-based paints and coatings can cause spoilage, viscosity changes, off-odors, and reduced performance. Traditional sterility tests are slow and often incompatible with thick, pigmented, or chemically complex formulations. Preservatives may also suppress growth during plating, hiding early contamination. Biocalorimetry allows direct testing of finished formulations by detecting microbial metabolism through heat signals, delivering actionable results within hours. This helps manufacturers prevent spoilage, refine preservative strategies, and maintain consistent product quality across batches.
Food and beverage microbial testing
Food and beverage manufacturers need faster ways to ensure product quality, safety, and shelf life while accelerating product release. Symcel’s calScreener® and caloTrace® platforms enable faster detection of viable bacteria, yeast, and mold in complex samples — from contamination detection and ingredient quality control to shelf-life, probiotic, and preservative efficacy studies.
