FCM

The Somacount FCM is the result of many years of experience in flow cytometry and illustrates Bentley Instruments’ expertise in the reliable, accurate, real-time determination of somatic cells count in raw milk. Available in several versions, the FCM is equipped with a dual-channel system and a conveyor belt, automating sampling at a maximum throughput of 600 samples/hour.

The Somacount FCM is based on the flow cytometry technology with the emission and detection of a fluorescence signal for the counting of somatic cells in raw milk.

The milk sample is first treated with an incubation reagent consisting of a clarification buffer solution and a fluorescent marker to permeate the somatic cells and stain their DNA/RNA. Part of the mixture is then injected into the flow cytometer in which the somatic cells are aligned and exposed to an intense laser beam to generate the fluorescence signal. The fluorescent signal is collected by the optics, filtered and detected with a photomultiplier. The intensity and width of the fluorescence pulses are then recorded to establish the peak distribution curve and gated with the detection thresholds to determine the somatic cells count.

The FCM consists of two exactly identical channels (fluid flow and optics). This design provides advantageous redundancy: if an anomaly occurs on one channel, the operator can simply change the parameters and continue analysis on a single channel at a maximum speed of 300 samples/hour.

The analytical performance of the FCM fully complies with the requirements of ISO 13366-2|IDF 148-2:2006, AOAC and ICAR standards for the enumeration of somatic cells in milk.