Bacteria Testing & Analysis
Assured Bio provides culture-based and molecular bacterial analyses for environmental investigations, water testing, and contamination assessment.
Choose an analysis based on the question you need answered: whether bacteria grow under specified culture conditions, whether selected bacterial DNA targets are present, or whether a water sample contains the organisms included in a particular test.
Our laboratory team can help you select the analysis, collection materials, and shipping conditions suited to your project before sampling.
Contact us using the inquiry form below, or call 1-866-547-1727.
Choose the Method That Answers Your Question
Culture and molecular methods provide different information. Select the method and sample type before collecting material for analysis.
Culture-Based Bacterial Analysis
Measures bacteria that grow under the selected laboratory conditions. Results depend on the culture medium, incubation conditions, and organisms recovered.
Analysis options
Bacterial colony count, or colony count with species identification of the two most numerous isolates using molecular sequencing. Additional isolate identification may be requested.
Sample types
Bulk material, submitted culture plates, swabs, and water. M-TRAP® samples may be accepted for selected analyses; confirm collection requirements with the laboratory.
Reporting
Colony counts and, when requested, identification of recovered isolates. Culture does not recover every bacterium that may be present.
Standard turnaround
Colony count: 4 business days.
Count with species identification: 7–14 business days, depending on incubation and identification requirements.
DNA-Based Bacterial Analysis
Detects selected bacterial DNA targets without requiring the organisms to grow in culture. Targeted molecular analysis answers questions about the organisms included in the selected assay.
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) measures selected bacterial DNA targets by monitoring amplification during the test. Results apply to the targets included in the selected assay and do not, by themselves, establish whether the detected bacteria are viable.
Analysis options
Universal Bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli analyses. Contact the laboratory to discuss other target-specific testing and current availability.
Sample types
M-TRAP® air cassettes and other sample types accepted for the selected assay. Confirm suitability with the laboratory before collection.
Reporting
Target detection and quantification, as applicable to the assay. A targeted panel does not identify every bacterial species in a sample.
Interpretation
DNA detection alone does not establish whether bacteria are alive or capable of growth.
Turnaround
Confirm the reporting schedule for your selected assay with the laboratory.
Turnaround timing: the day your sample arrives at the laboratory is day zero. Reporting depends on the analysis selected and any required incubation or additional identification.
Water Bacteria Testing
Select an analysis based on your water source, project requirements, and the organisms you need to evaluate.
- Coliform & E. coli: Presence/Absence testing or Most Probable Number (MPN) analysis to estimate concentrations.
- Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC): estimates bacteria that grow under the selected laboratory conditions.
- Legionella: culture-based testing for water-system investigations.
Contact the laboratory before sampling to confirm collection containers, sample volume, preservation, and shipping requirements.
Collecting Samples for Culture
Collection requirements depend on the sample material and analysis selected. Contact the laboratory before sampling to confirm the culture medium or container, sample quantity, holding time, and shipping conditions.
Air and surfaces: Use laboratory-approved culture media, samplers, or sterile swabs. Record the sampling location and, when applicable, the area or air volume sampled.
Culture plates and bulk materials: Securely package submitted plates or representative material to prevent contamination and damage during transit.
Water: Confirm the specific analysis, sterile bottle, required volume, and any neutralizer before collection.
Label each sample to match its Chain of Custody entry and arrange delivery within the laboratory’s specified holding time.
View forms and example reports.
Discuss Your Bacteria Testing Project
Tell us what you are sampling and what you need to evaluate. Our laboratory team can help you select an analysis and confirm collection and submission requirements. You can also call 1-866-547-1727.