Software from Synbiosis Allows for Automatic Identification of Bacteria and Yeast

Synbiosis, a long-established manufacturer of automated microbiological systems, today announced its Chromogenic ID software for use with ChromaZona, ProtoCOL 3 and Protos 3 automated colony counters has been upgraded and validated for automatic identification of bacteria and yeast on Hardy Diagnostics' HardyCHROM™ media. Using this new software allows all microbiologists to rapidly generate accurate, objective microbial identification results.

The new Chromogenic ID software module, developed in partnership with Hardy Diagnostics, ensures that with minimal training, microbiologists using ChromaZona, ProtoCOL 3, and Protos 3 systems can, at the touch of a button, identify microorganisms based on colour and morphology using a wide range of chromogenic media including: HardyCHROM™; CHROMagar™; Brilliance™ and Colorex™.

Using intelligent algorithms to analyse life-like colour plate images captured by ChromoZona, ProtoCOL 3 and Protos 3 systems, the software is so advanced that it can distinguish even turquoise from steel blue colonies. This guarantees precise identification of common pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Cronobacter sakazakii, Candida spp. and E. coli. The Chromogenic ID software provides consistent data and reduces user misidentification errors. The instrument generates accurate results which can be stored in a secure SQL database. This means the software is compliant with CFR 21 part 11 and is ideal for integration into a GLP/GMP environment.

Jay Hardy, President of Hardy Diagnostics stated: “We are pleased that Synbiosis now has software that will analyse HardyCHROM, our line of chromogenic plates. This will represent a major advance in speed, efficiency, and cost savings for microbiologists using our chromogenic media.”

Kate George, Senior Divisional Manager at Synbiosis added: “Accurately distinguishing between different coloured colonies on chromogenic agar depends on a scientist’ expertise. By partnering with Hardy Diagnostics to develop and validate this revolutionary software we can now guarantee that microbiologists using Chromogenic ID software with HardyCHROM media will rapidly achieve accurate and standardised microbial identification in their laboratories, no matter what their skill level.”