The complete incubation time of 'RIDA®COUNT Yeast & Mold Rapid' test cards is only 48 hours from the beginning of the sample application to the final result of counting the colonies. The rapid detection of microbial fungi is enabled by the use of a specialised chromogenic detection on a modified YGC medium.

R-Biopharm AG has conducted a recent R&D study on a variety of food matrices and compared the new RIDA®COUNT Yeast & Mold Rapid test with the results gained for traditional Potato-Dextrose-Agar (PDA) as the culture medium.

In many microbiology labs, PDA is a commonly recommended nutrient for the detection of yeast and moulds in foods. The time between applying the sample on PDA and the evaluation by counting the colonies normally takes round about 7 days. In the comparative study RIDA®COUNT Yeast & Mold Rapid tests showed comparable results after incubation times of only 2 or 3 days!

In addition to faster results for yeasts and moulds detection the general practical lab-handling of all RIDA®COUNT test cards is extremely easy. The current RIDA®COUNT product line comprises a system of 8 different tests presented in a format of dry ready-to-use culture media cards.

The product range includes nutrients for popular testing parameters such as: Total Count, Coliforms, Salmonella, E. coli, E. coli/Coliforms, Enterobacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Yeasts and Moulds. All test cards are based on the same technology design system and basic practical usage protocols. The nutrient pads are attached to a carrier foil and covered by a clear cover sheet that integrates a 'colony counting grid' to make visual counting fast and accurate.

RIDA®COUNT test cards can be utilised for direct plating of diluted food & feed samples, and for stamping or swabbing all types of surfaces. The tests can also be used for incubating membrane filters after filtration of various liquid samples and for automated air sampling to check environmental conditions.

Multiple specialist applications, technical support and a shelf-life of between 1 ½ and 3 years makes RIDA®COUNT the most versatile rapid, ready-to-use nutrient plate system in the world.