bacteria · enumeration device · VNBC · rapid testing · on-site · labeling · CMOS sensor
Rapid bacteria enumeration device from Japan
BACTESTER — Rapid Bacteria Enumeration, Anytime, Anywhere
BACTESTER is a cutting-edge bacteria enumeration device developed by NPC Japan. It detects and counts viable or injured bacteria — even from a single cell — in under 5 seconds.
Compact, portable, and effortless to use, BACTESTER brings microbiological testing beyond the lab, enabling reliable results anytime and anywhere. With its speed and simplicity, it makes microbial testing more frequent, cost-efficient, and safer, perfectly complementing conventional culture methods.
BACTESTER MP1 — Key Specs
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Measurement: Fluorescence method, fully automated
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Speed: ~10 sec per measurement
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Range: 1–99,999 cells/mL
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Functions: Total, viable, and damaged bacteria
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Imaging: Video (~5 fps) & interval shooting
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Field of View: 3.6 × 4.8 mm
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Sensor: Back-illuminated CMOS, 4000 × 3000 pixels
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Excitation LEDs: Blue (viable), Green (damaged)
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Filters: Band-pass (viable), Long-pass (damaged)
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Connection & Power: USB 3.1 Type-C, max 4.5 W
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Environment: 15–30°C, 20–90% RH
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Size & Weight: 148 × 148 × 266 mm / 2.4 kg
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Materials: ABS, steel, polycarbonate
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PC Requirement: Windows 11, USB 3.0 Type-C
Faster Results. Smarter Testing.
Getting test results quickly is one of Bactester’s key advantages — it processes a sample in just 5 seconds.
This rapid testing capability is especially valuable for perishable food products, helping to reduce food loss and ensure safer, fresher delivery.
In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, R&D teams use Bactester to accelerate product development and streamline their testing workflows.
Furthermore, since sample exchange and result reporting between manufacturers and laboratories can often be time-consuming, BACTESTER significantly improves efficiency and collaboration across the entire testing process.
Portable. Practical. Powerful.
Weighing only 2 kg and equipped with a built-in handle, Bactester is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry — allowing operation anywhere.
Its portability makes it ideal for on-site testing at factories, manufacturing facilities, research laboratories, or even outdoor locations with access to electricity.
Easy to Use. No Expertise Require.
Thanks to its intuitive design and user-friendly software, BACTESTER can be operated even by non-specialized personnel.
In cooperation with NPC, a customized sample preparation protocol can be developed to match each customer’s specific conditions. Once established, the procedure can be easily performed by any designated employee.
Compared to the complexity of conventional culture testing, BACTESTER offers a more practical and efficient solution — even when used as a complementary tool.
Cost-Efficient and Sustainable
In today’s business environment, reducing costs and minimizing waste are key to economic sustainability — and BACTESTER addresses both with ease.
Each test costs approximately €4, and most parts of the device can be cleaned and reused, ensuring long-term savings.
Common consumables such as syringes, tubes, cartridges, and membrane filters are standard components, making them readily available and affordable. If required, these items can also be supplied directly by GSI Europe.
Supporting Compliance and Quality Assurance
Aligning manufacturing processes with government regulations is essential for maintaining a company’s credibility and long-term success.
By enabling more frequent testing at various stages of production — especially before final shipment — BACTESTER helps reduce food loss and prevent costly late-stage batch recalls, contributing to both regulatory compliance and product safety.
How to use
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Sample Types
BACTESTER is suitable for a wide range of sample types:
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Liquids: water, milk, beer, slime, effluent, etc.
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Solids: foodstuffs, cosmetics, etc.
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Air samples
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Swabs: surfaces, body parts, machines, etc.
Due to the diversity of possible samples, please contact us, and we will help you develop a customized sample preparation protocol tailored to the specific requirements of your sample.
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Sample preparation LIQUIDS
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Sample preparation SOLIDS
FAQ
What is the difference to ATP testing?
+- ATP testing is a hygiene management method that uses ATP (adenosine triphosphate) as an indicator. ATP is an energy molecule found in all animals and plants. Because it is also present in bacteria, ATP testing cannot accurately measure bacterial counts and is therefore unsuitable for microbiological testing.
Where is the correlation to the culture method?
+- There is generally a correlation between the two methods. However, traditional culture methods target only medium-temperature bacteria, whereas Bactester also detects VNC (viable but non-culturable) bacteria by using fluorescent staining, resulting in higher counts. Additionally, culture methods cannot detect dead or damaged bacteria.
Please contact us if you need assistance in establishing a correlation between methods. Is BACTESTER’s testing method officially recognized?
+- One of the official methods for bacterial measurement is microscopic analysis using a fluorescent (electronic) microscope. While BACTESTER operates on a similar principle, it is currently intended only for self-inspection purposes to enable rapid detection.
The measurement principle of BACTESTER is based on the “Rapid measurement method of bacteria counts by fluorescent staining” as defined in the 18th revised Japanese Pharmacy Law. Is it possible to determine the bacteria type? (Is Bactester able to recognize the type of bacteria?)
+- Currently, Bactester can only detect the total number of common viable bacteria and the number of dead or damaged bacteria as indicators of microbial contamination. To identify specific types of bacteria, a type-specific testing method must be applied.
Some fluorescent reagents capable of distinguishing bacterial types are reportedly available from reagent suppliers, but they are still in the verification stage. Would it be possible for BACTESTER to distinguish between different types of bacteria if a respective reagent is developed?
+- We are preparing to develop a variety of reagents that we anticipate will be feasible in the future.
Is it possible to examine Eumycetes (true fungi)?
+- Common molds (e.g., hyphae, spores) can be detected through staining, but their quantity cannot be counted.
Yeast can also be examined. Is it possible to examine Endospore (bacterial spore)?
+- It can be measured by applying a heat shock (heat activation) during the germination phase.
Is it possible to examine airborne bacteria?
+- Yes, it is possible. Bacteria collected with air samplers can be examined.
