Skip to main content
  • About ELGA
    • About ELGA
    • Ultrapure water
    • Purification Technologies
    • Impurities In Water
    • Guides & White Papers
    • Approved Partners
    • Sustainability
    • Reducing Clinical Risks
    • Careers
    • Events
    • HPLC in Pharma
    • HPLC Water Purity
  • Blog
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Clinical & Pharma
    • Cool Science
    • Environment and sustainability
    • Life in the lab
    • Purelab product design
    • Science of the future
    • Water Purity
    • Water in the lab
  • Contact
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Português
  • 日本語
  • 中文
Home ELGA LabWater
  • Products
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
  • Support
  • Products
    • PURELAB
    • CENTRA
    • MEDICA
    • BIOPURE
    • ELGA Full Product Range
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
    • Unlocking the secrets of the Antarctic with the aid of ultrapure water
    • Abbott Diagnostics chooses ELGA MEDICA systems in South Asia
    • Ca’Foscari University- A New Method for Investigating Environmental Tracers in Ice
    • Ca’Foscari University- Investigating Contaminants in Antarctic Ice
    • DASA: The biggest medical diagnostics company in Brazil
    • ELGA helps immuneserology labs maximize uptime
    • Importance of ultrapure Type 1+ water for the development of generic medicines
    • MEDICA® Pro selected for Siemens ADVIA® analyzers at City General Hospital
    • Optimale Wasserqualität für mikrobiologische Forschung und Lehre
    • PURELAB® flex: an ideal training system for today's research method
    • Sichere Reinstwasserversorgung für präzise Produkttests
    • Zentrale Reinstwasser-Aufbereitung für Analyser
  • Support
    • Support & Services
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Products
    • PURELAB
      • PURELAB Chorus 1 Complete
      • PURELAB® Chorus 1
      • PURELAB Chorus 2+
      • PURELAB® Chorus 2
      • PURELAB® Chorus 3
      • PURELAB® flex 1 & 2
      • PURELAB® flex 3 & 4
    • CENTRA
      • CENTRA® 60/120
      • CENTRA® RDS
      • CENTRA® R200
    • MEDICA
      • MEDICA® 7/15
      • MEDICA® EDI 15/30
      • MEDICA® Pro EDI 60/120
      • MEDICA® Pro-LPS
      • MEDICA® Pro-R and Pro-RE
      • MEDICA® R200
    • BIOPURE
      • BIOPURE 7/15
      • BIOPURE 60/120
      • BIOPURE 200/300/600
    • ELGA Full Product Range
      • PURELAB® Classic
  • Applications
  • Case Studies
    • Unlocking the secrets of the Antarctic with the aid of ultrapure water
    • Abbott Diagnostics chooses ELGA MEDICA systems in South Asia
    • Ca’Foscari University- A New Method for Investigating Environmental Tracers in Ice
    • Ca’Foscari University- Investigating Contaminants in Antarctic Ice
    • DASA: The biggest medical diagnostics company in Brazil
    • ELGA helps immuneserology labs maximize uptime
    • Importance of ultrapure Type 1+ water for the development of generic medicines
    • MEDICA® Pro selected for Siemens ADVIA® analyzers at City General Hospital
    • Optimale Wasserqualität für mikrobiologische Forschung und Lehre
    • PURELAB® flex: an ideal training system for today's research method
    • Sichere Reinstwasserversorgung für präzise Produkttests
    • Zentrale Reinstwasser-Aufbereitung für Analyser
  • Support
    • Support & Services
    • Laboratory Planning
    • Register a Product
    • Register Your Product (USA & Canada Only)
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Português
  • 日本語
  • 中文
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Impressum

Let's talk about lab water

  • Categories
    • Analytical Chemistry
    • Clinical & Pharma
    • Cool Science
    • Environment & Sustainability
    • Future Science
    • Life in The Lab
    • PURELAB Product Design
    • Science of the Future
    • Water In The Lab
    • Water Purity
  • Authors
    • ELGA Editorial Team
    • Natasha Zarach
    • Dr Paul Whitehead
    • Dr Alison Halliday
    • John Walker
Water Purity
Water In The Lab

The Little Things

6 Jan 2020
- by ELGA Editorial Team

Microbial Life

In the lab, where the precision and accuracy are essential, we have pioneered technology to control the invisible microbial life.

The Impact of Unwanted Microbial Life in the Lab

Microorganisms are amazing. Not just surviving but thriving in every biosphere on the planet, from the inside of your lab coat pocket to the depths of the ocean, these organisms are diverse, opportunistic and successful on an unparalleled level. Ever since the 17th century when people like Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke started observing these little critters under a microscope, our fascination with this invisible world has continued to grow.

Beyond microbiological investigations, however, our fascination has turned into a concerted effort to minimize microbial presence in the vast majority of circumstances. In and around the lab, where the precision and accuracy of results are jointly susceptible to disruption through microbial contamination of reagents and equipment, we have pioneered technology to control these invisible organisms.

The Formation and Impact of Biofilms

If microorganisms are present in the lab water that you invariably use in almost all of your day-to-day experiments, it can lead to erroneous data generation. We can control levels of free floating (planktonic) bacteria through the use of UV lighting within a water storage unit. However, when planktonic bacteria begin to group up and settle down, they can adhere to surfaces and form biofilms.

These multi-species structures proceed through five stages of development, each one becoming increasingly difficult to remove (see diagram): (1) Initial attachment, (2) Irreversible attachment, (3) Maturation I, (4) Maturation II, and (5) Dispersion.

Biofilms are encased in an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix which not only provides physical protection and adhesion, but also enhances both the flow of nutrients and the subsequent removal of waste compounds.

Stable biofilms can persist for years, sporadically releasing smaller populations of bacteria into the water leading to prolonged colonization. To make matters worse, dead gram-negative bacteria release lipopolysaccharides known as endotoxins from their outer membrane. These endotoxins can be harmful to humans and can also affect a wide range of applications and experimental techniques such as in vitro fertilization and cell culture.

A Strong Offense is the Best Defense

While biofilms and bacteria are amazing from a scientific perspective, we really don’t want them having an unwanted impact on our experiments or our equipment! Established biofilms represent a real problem as they have high resistances to antibacterial and other chemical agents, as well as UV treatment.

UV light on bacteria

The key to avoiding this situation is to strike early: ensure that you have not just adequate, but excellent water treatment facilities. For example, by employing a combination of recirculating storage tanks and UV light treatment, bacterial build up can be minimized. Flowing water not only reduces the opportunity for microorganisms to settle, but it means that the water will pass through the UV source multiple times prior to being dispensed. Ultrafilters at point-of-use (POU) devices can also be effective, serving as a final physical barrier, not only microorganisms, but also to the endotoxins they produce.

In our experience, the optimal approach is always a varied offense: by making use of a combination of technologies such as UV, filters, reverse osmosis, ion exchange and chemical sanitizers, you can feel confident that your water is safe from contamination… and that might just make the difference between the success and failure of your next experiment.

Troubleshooting Guide

Blast your problems out of the water...

Find out how to troubleshoot your application problems with our troubleshooting guide

             Download Now

 

Highlights

25 Jan 2021
Could Hemp Seeds Provide A Natural Sleep Aid?
18 Jan 2021
Forensic Toxicological Analysis Of Cannabinoids In Blood
14 Dec 2020
Developing Batteries Powered by Human Urine 
23 Nov 2020
Improving the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections
16 Nov 2020
Does The Type Of Wine Fermentation Vessel Matter?
9 Nov 2020
Investigating ‘DNA Vaccines’ to Prevent Hepatitis B Infection
12 Oct 2020
Printing Personalised Medical Cannabis Products
5 Oct 2020
Can Microscopic Needles Help Treat Skin Cancer?

Categories

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Clinical & Pharma
  • Cool Science
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Future Science
  • Life in The Lab
  • PURELAB Product Design
  • Science of the Future
  • Water In The Lab
  • Water Purity

Video

  • Enquiry
  • Get a Quote
  • Book a Demo
  • Find an Approved Partner

Enquiry

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Get a Quote

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Book a Demo

Please check this to confirm that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Call us

Can't find what you are looking for?

Support Number
+44 (0)20 3567 7300
United Kingdom Sales
+44 (0)1628 879 704
United States of America Sales
+1 877-315-3542
France Sales
+33 1 40 83 65 00
China Sales
+86 400-616-8882

 

ELGA LabWater Head Quarters

Lane End Business Park
Lane End, High Wycombe
HP14 3BY
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 203 567 7300
F: +44 (0) 203 567 7205

The Ultrapure Water Specialists

  • Support & Services
  • Events

Case Studies

  • Abbott Diagnostics
  • DASA Medical Diagnostics
  • NeoDIN Medical Institute
  • North Staffordshire NHS Trust
  • Olsberg Vocational College

Resources

  • Learn About Ultrapure Water
  • Guides and White Papers
  • Purification Technologies
  • Applications
  • Impurities In Water

Blogs

  • Latest Blog
  • Water Purity - Different Types of Pure Water
  • What is Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLSI)?
  • What is Total Organic Carbon (TOC)?
  • Language
    • Deutsch
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Português
    • 日本語
    • 中文
  • Other Veolia Sites
    • Veolia
    • Veolia Fondation
    • Veolia Water Technologies

© VWS (UK) Ltd. trading as ELGA LabWater. 2021 - All rights reserved.
ELGA is the global laboratory water brand name of Veolia.

  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Global Legal Compliance
  • Patents
  • Impressum
Elga Veolia
TOP

© 2017 ELGA Veolia