The NSF laboratory team offers microbiological testing and consultation expertise to service a wide range of industries including: food, water, clinical, environmental, pharma, and biotech.
Experience and Diversity
Since 1944, we have provided a broad range of services including aerobic and anaerobic microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, mycology, virology, and parasitology. The laboratory tests to multiple established methods: EPA, FDA, ISO, AATCC, USDA, AOAC, ASTM, APHA, USP, as well as international standards.
We support many core programs at NSF, including:
- Beverage Quality
- Biosafety Cabinetry
- DBA Analytical
- Dietary Supplements
- Drinking Water Additives
- Drinking Water Treatment Systems
- Engineering and Research Services
- Food Equipment
- Food Safety (Retail, Davis Fresh, Cook & Thurber)
- Private Label Assurance
- Recreational Water (Pools and Spas)
- Toy Safety
Our extensive background offers a unique perspective for servicing our client's research and development needs. Ongoing services also include development and participation in validation studies for the USEPA, ISO, AOAC, USFDA, and private organizations.
Additional Test Areas:
- Food products - produce, processors, retail, environmental monitoring
- Water certification - bottled water, packaged ice, water purifiers
- Supplements and functional foods
- Allergen testing - food and household applications
- Pharma and nanotechnology
- In vitro cell toxicology
- Cosmetics
- Medical devices
- Protocol development and certification
- Disinfectant and Sanitizer efficacy testing
- Contract research
Superior Quality Control
To provide our clients with confidence and assurance in the accuracy of the test results that we generate, the NSF microbiology lab operates under the strict quality control guidelines specified by ISO 17025, ANSI, SCC, and NELAP. Traceability is a key component to our quality assurance program. The laboratory assesses and documents the suitability and use of all media, reagents, consumables, and cultures used in testing. For all assays, the appropriate external and internal controls are included in all test regimens. All microbiology lab staff are trained on an annual basis and their competency is evaluated routinely through a rigorous battery of proficiency tests. All equipment undergoes initial and ongoing validation. In addition to external sources, NSF lab equipment is calibrated and maintained by in-house ASQ certified calibration technicians. Before the final report is released to the client, a qualified senior microbiologist peer reviews all quality control and test data generated by the laboratory.
Facility, Equipment, and Capacity
- 10,000 square feet laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment
- Molecular and Protein Laboratories
- Real time PCR platforms
- UV/VIS spectrophotometers
- Microplate readers
- Digital gel photodocmentation system
- Microscopy Laboratory
- Zeiss™ stereoscopes and brightfield microscopes equipped with digital imaging systems
- Fluorescence, phase contrast, and DIC
- Access to confocal laser scanning microscope, SEM, and TEM through neighboring universities
- Biolog™ and Soleris™ systems for organism identification and/or enumeration
- Cell Biology and Virology Laboratories
- Dedicated inverted microscopes, water baths, CO2 incubators
- Cellomics™ in vitro cellular toxicology platform
- Anaerobic chambers and dedicated fungal evaluation laboratory
- Performs over 100,000 tests per year
- Quick turnaround
- Laboratory Information System (LIMS) manages testing and reporting
- On-line reporting and data tracking
- Biosafety Level II facility (BSL2)
- Forward-flow laboratory design to prevent cross-contamination
- Dedicated areas for product sampling and preparation, contaminant extraction, and bacterial/protozoal membrane filtration
- Custom high-volume culture preparation laboratory for anti-microbial efficacy testing
- Growth and stability chambers equipped with continuous in-line monitoring for temperature and humidity
- Segregated labs and dedicated autoclaves to separate media preparation and biological waste decontamination
- Automated plate pourers, plate readers, and colony counters
- Dedicated walk-in cold rooms and freezers for samples, to separate from media and reagent storage
