BactoBox®

Faster than Microscopy 

BactoBox® offers a significant speed advantage over fluorescence microscopy while also providing greater user autonomy, streamlining the analysis process.

Easier than Flow Cytometry 

BactoBox® allows users to become proficient in under 60 minutes and removes the need for manual gating after each experiment, unlike fluorescence flow cytometry.

Works for All Bacteria

BactoBox® is effective for all bacterial species, including those that are difficult to stain, providing a versatile solution for diverse applications.

Affordable and Effortless

BactoBox® offers an easy-to-use solution for rapid bacteria measurement, boasting a compact design that fits seamlessly in various spaces. With its user-friendly interface, minimal training is required to achieve highly precise total bacteria counts in minutes. Simply take a sample, dilute it, insert it into BactoBox®, and press measure. BactoBox® offers the simplicity of OD600 paired with the capabilities of fluorescence flow cytometry. 

Correlation

Together with Probiotical S.p.A. and Advanced Analytical Technologies Srl, we investigated the comparability of fluorescence flow cytometry and BactoBox when measuring viable bacterial concentrations. Our study revealed a close match between these methods, with minor variability due to different labs and operators. BactoBox's operator-independent design ensures reliable results. Plate count data and the colony forming unit results align with fluorescence flow cytometry and BactoBox for most samples, but emphasizes the need for advanced flow cytometry-based techniques to complement traditional methods and their shortcomings.

Viable bacterial concentrations are in excellent agreement when measured with FFC and BactoBox. The height of the grey bars represents average active fluorescent units (AFU) for fluorescence flow cytometry. The white bars represent plate counts (CFUs), and the violet bars represent BactoBox intact cell concentrations (ICC). Individual data points are shown with crosses. Error bars represent standard deviation.

Impedance Flow Cytometry Explained

BactoBox utilizes impedance flow cytometry to analyze bacterial membrane intactness at varying electrical measurement frequencies. By examining the electrical properties of bacterial cells, BactoBox can differentiate between living and dead bacteria based on their ability to conduct electricity. 

The BactoBox approach to quantifying viable bacteria bears similarities to live/dead staining kits used in conjunction with fluorescence flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. By evaluating the intactness of cell membranes, BactoBox produces a unique signal that indicates the viability of bacterial cells.

BactoBox uses impedance flow cytometry to analyze membrane intactness at various frequencies, differentiating live bacteria with intact lipid membranes from dead ones with compromised membranes. Fluorescence flow cytometry (FFC) with commonly available cell viability kit employs Thiazole Orange (TO) and Propidium Iodide (PI) stains, which fluoresce green and red for viable and non-viable bacteria, respectively.

Optimise Your Bacteria Enumeration with BactoBox®

BactoBox® is a small device that we can easily ship around the world for trials. The first-time user training procedure takes less than one hour. Submit your information in the form below and we will contact you to discuss the technical fit with your application and explore the potential trial opportunities.

Gustav Skands

CEO & Co-founder
[email protected]
+45 2076 5773

SBT Instruments

Symfonivej 37
2730 Herlev
Copenhagen, Denmark
[email protected]

Explore Trial Opportunities