Choosing the right lab blender to support your microbiome research and production

Discover how the Seward Stomacher lab blender is designed to reduce cross-contamination and provide compliant, viable test results

When operating in the microbiome and fecal transplantation industry it is vital to have in place the necessary safeguards against cross-contamination, demanded by regulators. As well as ensuring the protection and viability of your sample. Therefore, choosing the right lab blender to support your research and production methods is critical.

For 50 years the Seward Stomacher® has been a blender of choice in the food industry. Designed to be the gold standard in providing properly representative samples for subsequent analysis for pathogens and total viable count. The unique blending process of a Stomacher® lab blender makes it an ideal choice for all microbiome research and production.

The machines are designed so that the sample is contained within a sterile bag and the blending process is applied to the outside of the bag by shaped reciprocating metal paddles. With the sample safely secured in the bag it does not come into contact with the Stomacher® machine. This means that the risk of cross-contamination is eliminated.

The bag is sealed when it is being processed, so there is no risk of aerosol production or odors escaping into the lab, making for a better work environment for the technicians. And as the Seward Stomacher® machines come in a range of sizes, they are suitable for use with a fume hood.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the UK. Fecal transplantation is subject to the same regulatory frameworks. Seward products are compliant with these regulations. As a result of this, the Seward products have been chosen by the National Health Service as they open up their use of fecal transplantation to all patients in their care.

Dr. Susan Manzoor, MTC Production Manager at the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham says “we have used a Seward Stomacher® 400 Circulator for the production of FMT under MHRA license since 2017. The equipment is perfect for our process and the staff has always been very helpful and knowledgeable.”

The viability of the sample is also protected by the blending process of the Stomacher® lab blenders. The machines operate at a maximum of 600 paddle strikes per minute, imparting a powerful blending action to the sample ensuring maximum homogeneity is achieved. This action prevents damage to the bacteria contained within, compared to other blending methods.

The paddle action, though powerful, delivers bacterial cells into suspension with less cell surface damage and therefore more vigorous and viable, ideal for fecal transplant preparation.

Stuart Ray, Technical Director of Seward Limited said, “we have worked with customers in the microbiome industry since the beginning of this science and we have worked with many clients on the development of methodologies and bespoke consumable products”.

This is an increasingly highly regulated industry with tremendous potential to revolutionize the pharma industry. Stuart added, “with our understanding and experience we remain at the forefront of this industry and offer confidential and expert collaboration”.

Seward Stomacher® lab blenders deliver accurate, efficient results time and time again. With nearly 50 years of experience, Stomacher® blenders are recognized as being one of the gold standards in sample preparation.

Offering a volume sample range from 250 µL to 4500 mL, Seward Stomacher® paddle blenders are globally referenced by thousands of protocols across a range of sectors and industries, and because Seward makes Stomachers® themselves, you can be confident of the quality from a world-leading paddle blender manufacturer.

Stomacher® is a registered trademark of FermionX Ltd.

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