CARTRIDGE OF MICROBIAL CELL-CAPTURING CARRIER, CARRIER TREATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUNTING MICROBIAL CELLS

摘要

A disposable microbe-collecting carrier cartridge and a carrier treating apparatus which efficiently convert microbes collected on a carrier into a solution and prevent variations in the amount of retrieval of microbes upon concentration on a filter are provided. A cartridge formed of an upper lid having a plurality of through holes, a container in an inverted-cone shape having both of a liquid storage sink unit having a filter at the bottom and an air suction path, and a support base for setting up a thermoplastic carrier, such as gelatin, and a carrier treating apparatus formed of a dispensing nozzle for liquid supply, a liquid supply mechanism, a liquid heating mechanism, and a suction pump for filtration are prepared. Warm water is supplied onto the filter set up on a bottom surface of the inverted-cone-shaped container and is stored in the liquid storage sink, thereby causing the carrier to make contact with the warm water. The contact with the warm water causes the carrier to be solated, and mixed and diluted with the warm water. Then, the suction pump of the filtration device is activated for suction and filtration of the mixed liquid through the filter. By using the filter having a shape not allowing microbes to pass through and having a gap, only microbes are captured on the filter after suction and filtration. Polymers and dust to be a background upon an ATP measurement pass through the filter by filtration to be cleanly eliminated.