Cleaning an incubator shaker sounds trivial, but it is critical for cultivation success. The good news is that doing the right thing is simple, effective, and can easily be integrated into the routine management of a laboratory.
Sanitization is the most common solution for a routine clean. Disinfection should deal with most simple cases of contamination and sterilization is reserved for serious problems not solved by the two lesser categories, or to address the requirement for certification of decontamination.
A ‘mild cleaning agent’ such as soap or household detergent will clean greasy surfaces but may have little antimicrobial activity. It can be applied with a soft, lint-free cloth such as microfibre, although unwanted residue may be created and an additional rinse may be required. Many generic ‘quaternary ammonium compounds’ (quats) have antimicrobial properties and are widely used as disinfectants. The antimicrobial activity depends on the quats’ ability to disrupt cell walls. They are not good against some gram-negative bacteria and of little value against fungal spores and non-enveloped viruses.
Quats work as surfactants (more like a wetting agent). They do not corrode metal or damage plastics, unlike oxidative disinfectants and cleaners such as peroxide or bleach. They can potentially cause staining and leave a residue. However, some residue is desirable to maximise the antimicrobial effects. There are many commercial brands available which are cheap and effective hard surface cleaners for laboratory use.
A good example of a combined cleaning agent and disinfectant for incubator shakers is Fermacidal D2 from IC Products SA.
If a flask has broken or culture medium has escaped, clean the chamber immediately with a neutral household cleaner as a first step. Then clean with disinfectants e.g. quats, if necessary.
Depending on your laboratory guidelines cleaning of the outside surface should be part of a general laboratory routine (SOP).
Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to clean the touchscreen panel of the controller and the plexiglass cover protecting the lighting unit – do not apply liquid directly to the surfaces or use aggressive chemicals. Dry with a clean cloth.
There is a risk of damage to the surfaces due to use of abrasive cleaners such as scouring pads and similar utensils. Only clean the glass door inside and outside with a soft cleaning cloth and mild detergent solution (diluted with de-ionised water). Make sure no residues are left behind by rinsing with clean water.
Wipe the trays and their mounted parts regularly (rails, clips, adhesive matting, etc.) with a soft cloth and a mild household cleaner. If necessary, disinfect with a standard disinfectant e.g. quats.
If the area under the shaking table has a hygienic design, it will have a smooth base and is deep enough to hold spills from large flasks i.e. several hundred millilitres. Ideally, there is a drain, and this will lead to a nozzle for removing contaminated culture and cleaning fluids. After disconnecting main power, an operator should be able to reach inside to access all areas under the tray.
Depending on the shaker the parts of drive system inside the chamber range from simple counterweight to complex bearings and cog assemblies. If there is only a counterweight you can easily clean it by yourself, otherwise you will need help from a service technician for proper cleaning. Again, bleach should never be used as some of these parts can be uncoated metal in the interior of an incubated shaker.
If you encounter pieces of broken glass remove them carefully while wearing protective gloves. The culture fluid can then be wiped up with a cloth soaked in disinfectant. It is then safe to proceed to the next step.
Trays with adhesive matting need additional care. The adhesiveness of the mats will decline over time due to dust and soiling. They can be regenerated as follows:
The structure and adhesive properties of the adhesive matting can be destroyed by solvent-based cleaners. This leads to a risk of flasks becoming detached from the adhesive matting during operation of the shaker. If the adhesiveness of the matting cannot be regenerated by cleaning, it must be replaced.
Dust, fluff and loose items of detritus such as bits of aluminum foil from flask caps can all pose a problem. This applies to:
The cleaning method below should be applied:
Dust and debris can accumulate around the shaker, flasks can be dropped in front of the shaker and liquid can spill under the unit. Good laboratory practice should deal with these situations, but a shaker in a corner of a crowded area may potentially become neglected.
Contract services may cover the cleaning of floors and work areas but will not include direct interference with laboratory equipment, especially if it’s in use. It is also very common for routine cleaning to be overlooked by research staff.
A best practice routine can be added to any SOPs for general cleaning and maintenance to risk manage these situations:
Please note: This overview is not intended to replace advice included in the operating manuals of specific incubator shakers from individual manufacturers, and company standards should supersede recommendations provided here. Basic methods and definitions have been provided which should be applicable in almost all cases. Any relevant comments, ideas for new posts and constructive criticism are always welcome.
Getting started with cell culture can seem like an overwhelming step: cells are sensitive to shear stress, have a high risk of contamination and are very demanding concerning the right choice of process parameters. Read this article to learn about all you need to start shaking or running your bioreactor with mammalian cells, insect cells and plant cells.
The shake flask is the standard in many laboratories for cultivation of cells. Achieving high biomass concentrations remains a constant challenge in these labs. Let us show you 5 tricks you can implement with a bonus webinar at the end of this article.
Mammalian cell culture bioprocesses are gaining importance in the biopharmaceutical industry. Due to the high depamd of product quality, the indubator shaker as a production unit can become a limited factor after a certain point. Learn how to overcome this limitation and watch the full webinar at the end of this article.
Getting started with cell culture can seem like an overwhelming step: cells are sensitive to shear stress, have a high risk of contamination and are very demanding concerning the right choice of process parameters. Read this article to learn about all you need to start shaking or running your bioreactor with mammalian cells, insect cells and plant cells.
The shake flask is the standard in many laboratories for cultivation of cells. Achieving high biomass concentrations remains a constant challenge in these labs. Let us show you 5 tricks you can implement with a bonus webinar at the end of this article.
Mammalian cell culture bioprocesses are gaining importance in the biopharmaceutical industry. Due to the high depamd of product quality, the indubator shaker as a production unit can become a limited factor after a certain point. Learn how to overcome this limitation and watch the full webinar at the end of this article.