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 of contamination. ATP is an energy-carrying molecule found in all plants and animals, and since it also includes bacteria, ATP testing is not suitable for measuring bacterial counts alone and therefore cannot be used for microbiological testing.
Where is the correlation to the culture method?
+- In general, a correlation can be observed; however, while culture-based tests target mesophilic bacteria, bacterial counts measured using fluorescent reagents with a Bactester also stain and count VNC (viable but non-culturable) bacteria and bacteria other than mesophiles, resulting in higher values.
Is BACTESTER an official method?
+- No. Bactester is not an official method. Its measurement principle follows the “Rapid Bacterial Count Method Using Fluorescent Staining” in the 18th Revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia and is similar in principle to microscopic examination using fluorescent (or electron) microscopy. It is currently used as a rapid detection device for voluntary in-house testing.
Can BACTESTER identify the types of bacteria?
+- No, it cannot. At present, Bactester can only provide counts of total viable bacteria and dead (or damaged) bacteria, which serve as indicators of microbial contamination. To determine specific bacterial species, dedicated testing methods tailored to each bacterium must be used. Several bacteria-specific fluorescent reagents are currently available from reagent manufacturers, and we are evaluating whether these can be measured using Bactester.
Is it possible to measure fungi?
+- Common molds (hyphae and spores) can be detected by staining; however, they cannot be counted. Yeasts, on the other hand, can be measured.
Is it possible to measure spore-forming bacteria?
+- Yes. They can be measured by applying a heat shock (thermal activation) to induce germination.
Is it possible to measure airborne bacteria?
+- Yes, it is possible. Bacteria collected by air samplers can be measured.
Does the Bactester have international certification?
+- An application for AOAC certification is currently in progress.
