Food Microbiology: The Best Gravimetric Diluters on the Market

As we highlighted in our article : How to choose a gravimetric Dilutor, if there’s one piece of equipment you can’t afford to get wrong in a food microbiology lab, it’s the gravimetric diluter.

One bad choice and disaster strikes!

The “superpower” of SuperMicrobiologists is that nearly 20,000 of us work in microbiology labs every day. When it comes to user feedback, that’s invaluable!

We surveyed SuperMicrobiologists to find out which gravimetric diluters they prefer. Two brands stood out overwhelmingly—here they are:

Content :

• The DiluFlow by Interscience

Gravimetric Diluters for Food Microbiology Laboratories

The DiluFlow by Interscience

For food microbiology laboratories, Interscience offers a range of three gravimetric diluters: DiluFlow, DiluFlow Pro, and DiluFlow Elite. The main differences between these diluters lie in the level of automation of the arm and their connectivity with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems).

• DiluFlow: The standard model offering reliable performance with basic features.
  
• DiluFlow Pro: Includes enhanced automation and improved precision for higher efficiency.
  
• DiluFlow Elite: The top-tier model with full automation and advanced connectivity options, including seamless integration with LIMS for traceability and data management.

Key Strengths of the DiluFlow:

• BSC Compatibility: These diluters are designed to fit under BioSafety cabinets (BSCs), with a low profile (base + L-shaped bag holder). The bag opening is positioned just 30 cm above the bench, making it easy to use in restricted spaces.
  
• GeckoGrip: Say goodbye to Blue Tack! Interscience offers an ultra-convenient bag attachment system, making sample handling smoother and more efficient.
  
• Durability: Built with stainless steel construction and honeycomb-style buttons, tested to withstand at least 3 million presses. This ensures long-lasting performance and resilience in high-demand lab environments.

Limitations of the DiluFlow:

• While stainless steel construction makes the DiluFlow durable and robust, the downside is its weight. The diluter is quite heavy, ranging from 12.8 to 15.3 kg, making it challenging to move around easily.

What SuperMicrobiologists appreciate about the Diluflow (survey result):

• “The ease of use for switching from one program to another.”

Dilmat from bioMerieux is the second gravimetric dilutor mentionned by the SuperMicrobiologists in our survey.

Bonus: Diluters for the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries

DiluFlow Elite 1kg

Interscience has developed a gravimetric diluter specifically designed for weighing small samples (1 to 20 g) in containers such as tubes or jars.

Key Strengths of the DiluFlow:

• BSC Compatibility: These diluters have a low profile, making it easy to place the sample into the tube or jar without interference from the hood’s glass panel.
  
• Multi-Container Clamp: This versatile clamp allows for the use of both tubes and jars, offering flexibility for different sample types.
  
• High Precision: The DiluFlow ensures precise dilution of samples between 1 and 20 g (at a 1/10 dilution ratio), with over 99% accuracy and two significant digits on the weighing scale.

Limitations of the DiluFlow Elite 1kg:

• While stainless steel construction ensures durability, the downside is the weight. The DiluFlow Elite weighs around 12.9 kg, making it difficult to move around easily within the lab.

You now have all the information you need to choose the gravimetric diluter that best suits your lab—it’s your move!

Why are some brands “better” presented than others?

Following the survey among the SuperMicrobiologists, we contacted all the favored brands to offer them sponsorship of this article.

This sponsorship allows us to offer all our content for free.

The brands “better” presented are those that agreed to support SuperMicrobiologists by sponsoring the article. We thank them.

So, if you need a Gravimetric Dilutor, start by testing these brands!