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Tests @ BioTech Labs

You are now on our "List of Tests, Services and How To Submit A Sample" page.

Here you will find what bacteriological tests we do, on what products we regularly test, and other technical services; also how to submit a sample to us.

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Our Microbiology Laboratory


Petri dish showing mould growth


Plate showing various toxic fungi


Flaming sterilising before testing


We also sell swabs and other lab consumables


A Skills Training Manual in Basic Chemical Laboratory Techniques

An excellent self-help book and reference guide!

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We can offer the following microbiological tests:

  • Total Mesophilic Aerobic Plate Count/Colony Count §;
  • Total Anaerobic Plate Count/Colony Count §;
  • Total Microaerophilic Plate Count/Colony Count;
  • Total Thermophilic aerobic Plate Count/Colony Count;
  • Total Psychrotrophic Count;
  • Total Coliform §;
  • Total Faecal Coliform Count;
  • Total Yeast and Mould Count §;
  • Sulphate Reducing Bacteria;
  • Presence of E.coli and E.coli type I §;
  • Presence and confirmation of Salmonella species §;
  • Presence of Shigella species;
  • Presence of Staphylococcus aureus §;
  • Presence of Pathogenic Clostridial Species (certain strains of Clostridium perfringens);
  • Presence of Pathogenic Vibrio species; not routinely available;
  • Presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
  • Presence of Mesophilic Lactobacillus species (Acidoduric species);
  • Presence of Thermoduric Lactobacillus species and spore formers;
  • Presence of Actobacter species;
  • Presence of Lipolytic Organisms;
  • Presence of Bacillus cereus;
  • Presence of Faecal Coliforms; and presence of Faecal Streptococci;
  • Presence of Flat Sour Organisms §;
  • Presence of Osmophilic Yeasts and Moulds;
  • Cultural isolation and identification (Gram Stain and Biochemical Tests i.e. API);
  • Food Pathogen Microbiological Analysis; and Food Spoilage Microbiological Analysis.

Tests marked with § are accredited.

SANAS schedule of accredited tests may be viewed at our "Accreditation Certificate" page.


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Also we offer microbiological and bacteriological examination of the following products:

  • Water and waste-waters/trade effluents;
  • Swimming poolwater and spas;
  • Bottled water, energy drinks and beverages;
  • Fruit juices, cooldrinks and concentrates;
  • Raw Meat and Meat products;
  • Milk, cream and processed Dairy products;
  • Sugars, syrups and molasses;
  • Flour and Bakery products;
  • Poultry and Egg products;
  • Herb and Spice products;
  • Frozen Seafood/Marine products;
  • Canned products (such as meat, fish and vegetables);
  • Packaging materials, bottles, cans, sachets, cartons;
  • Pharmaceuticals and nutriceuticals;
  • Cosmetics;
  • Disinfectants and sanitizer evaluations.

Other related services that we can offer are:

  • Sterility Tests;
  • Shelf-life evaluations;
  • Water Activity tests, Aw;
  • HACCP consulting or investigations;
  • Biotechnology investigations;
  • Manufacture and supply of microbiology stain solutions and reagents;
  • Supply of microbiological consumables, such as buffer swabs, culture storage boxes, etc.
  • Swab Surveys and Hygiene Audits of food premises, fast food outlets and factory processes and the issuing thereafter of a Certificate of Cleanliness.
  • Chemical and nutritional analyses of foodstuffs;
  • Microflora quality of air and the environment;
  • Bacterial quality of compressed air;
  • Food Safety advice to caterers and restaurants.

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How to submit a sample:

  1. If you are sending a sample to us for the first time or requesting any of our other services, then kindly complete and submit our Agreement of Service form, either on line or by fax.
  2. If you are already a client of ours and have already submitted the Agreement of Service form, then you are only requested to submit your current requirements in writing, such as order number, what test to be done, etc., with the samples.
  3. If you are sending a sample to us for shelflife tests or stability tests, then kindly complete and submit our Shelflife Submission form, either on line or by fax.
  4. Perishable samples for bacteriological tests must be delivered to us at a temperature below 10°C, i.e. refrigerated or in a cooler box with ice blocks.
  5. Products that are normally stored frozen should also be delivered to us in a frozen condition.
  6. Upon delivery of the sample at our laboratories, kindly check and sign our Job Card after checking the details that our staff have filled in on the form, to avoid any misunderstanding about what you require.

For other stuff, check out our general website at www.laboratories.co.za

Also check this website at http://www.sciencelabservices.com