Optimization of Manufacturing Process to Improve Quality of Sheep Blood Agar Plates
Loukiala, Emily (2026)
2026
Bioteknologian ja biolääketieteen tekniikan maisteriohjelma - Master's Programme in Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
Lääketieteen ja terveysteknologian tiedekunta - Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2026-06-17
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606177568
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202606177568
Tiivistelmä
This thesis investigated the factors causing quality variation in the production of sheep blood agar plates and evaluated how manufacturing parameters affect the final product. The work focused particularly on two potential sources of variability: blood hemolysis and agar composition. The aim was to determine how the degree of blood hemolysis influences the properties and quality of sheep blood agar plates and how selected agar formulations affect the characteristics and performance of the medium.
The study was conducted using a systematic elimination method. Production parameters were first monitored during manufacturing to identify possible process-related deviations. Bloods from different manufacturers were then analyzed for hemolysis, hematocrit, pH, and red blood cell morphology. Different agar bases were compared for colour stability and pH behaviour. Experimental blood agar plates were subsequently prepared by varying hemolysis level, agar type, blood volume, and blood temperature. The plates were evaluated by colour measurements, pH analysis, storage studies, and microbiological cultivation with clinically relevant bacterial species.
The results showed that agar composition had a significant effect on the appearance of blood agar plates. Agar base particularly affected plate colour and pH values during storage and incubation. The percentage of hemolysis of blood was found to have a minor effect on plate colour but was important for the visual clarity of hemolytic reactions. Temperature control during preparation was identified as a critical preparation parameter, while variations in blood volume had a minor effect on plate performance, but significantly affected colour.
Overall, the study demonstrates that consistent control of blood quality, agar composition, and preparation temperature is essential for producing reliable sheep blood agar plates. The findings provide practical information for optimizing manufacturing procedures and improving batch-tobatch consistency in microbiological culture media production.
The study was conducted using a systematic elimination method. Production parameters were first monitored during manufacturing to identify possible process-related deviations. Bloods from different manufacturers were then analyzed for hemolysis, hematocrit, pH, and red blood cell morphology. Different agar bases were compared for colour stability and pH behaviour. Experimental blood agar plates were subsequently prepared by varying hemolysis level, agar type, blood volume, and blood temperature. The plates were evaluated by colour measurements, pH analysis, storage studies, and microbiological cultivation with clinically relevant bacterial species.
The results showed that agar composition had a significant effect on the appearance of blood agar plates. Agar base particularly affected plate colour and pH values during storage and incubation. The percentage of hemolysis of blood was found to have a minor effect on plate colour but was important for the visual clarity of hemolytic reactions. Temperature control during preparation was identified as a critical preparation parameter, while variations in blood volume had a minor effect on plate performance, but significantly affected colour.
Overall, the study demonstrates that consistent control of blood quality, agar composition, and preparation temperature is essential for producing reliable sheep blood agar plates. The findings provide practical information for optimizing manufacturing procedures and improving batch-tobatch consistency in microbiological culture media production.