Online Microbial Monitoring System
“Don‘t bring your sample to the lab, bring your lab to the sample.”
From Days to Minutes: Rethinking Microbial Detection with BactoSense
BactoSense by bNovate is transforming water safety using flow cytometry, an advanced measurement technique that detects and counts individual microbial cells in real time. Unlike traditional laboratory methods that can take days to yield results, flow cytometry employs laser-based optics and fluorescence markers to analyze cells as they flow through a microchannel. This allows for the instant detection of bacteria, protozoa, and other microorganisms with exceptional speed and accuracy, making it the fastest and most reliable option for continuous water quality monitoring. With BactoSense, you benefit from lab-grade science delivered at operational speed, providing the confidence to act without delay.
BactoSwitch®
More sources. More control. One instrument.
4 water lines in 1 instrument: expand coverage, cut manual work, and gain insight.
BactoSwitch turns your BactoSense into a multi-source microbial monitoring hub.
Business Value
- Boost capacityExtend BactoSense’s reach with multi-channel sampling and integrated flow regulation.
- Cut site workAutomatic source switching reduces interventions.
- Efficient operationsBroader visibility with fewer resources for more data, better decisions, full operational control.
Benefits
- Multiply your reachConnect up to four inlet streams to a single device.
- Streamline operationsAutomatic source changes, no manual intervention.
- Reliable performanceFlow regulation handles 0.1 to 5 bar with precision.
- Fast installationPush-in fittings, no complex plumbing.
BactoCloud
The secure cloud platform for BactoSense users, enables real-time visibility, remote access, and smart data integration.
Capabilities & Values
- Fleet managementOne dashboard shows status, location, and cartridge use for every BactoSense.
- Security and complianceAligned with EU NIS2 and ISO/IEC 27001. Encrypted transmission, audit trail, and user access governance.
- Workflow integrationOpen APIs, Data Push, SCADA and LIMS connectivity, single sign-on, and role-based access control.
- Intelligent algorithmsMicrobial fingerprint analysis turns readings into trends, baselines and early-warning signals.
Turning Water Data into Powerful Decisions
Why use flow cytometry? Because time matters. In critical water systems, delays in microbial detection can lead to health risks, compliance violations, and costly downtime. BactoSense by bNovate brings a radical shift to water microbiology with flow cytometry, which is an advanced laser-based technique that detects and counts individual microbial cells in real time. Unlike traditional HPC lab methods, which take 3 to 5 days to deliver results due to manual sampling, transport, and incubation, BactoSense delivers accurate readings in just 25 minutes in a closed-loop and fully automated system with no lab dependency.
It has been proven that plating methods (HPC) only detect 1% of bacteria present in a on sample. BactoSense technology makes it possible to count 99.9% of them with a high repeatability.
With an IP65 protection and a compact footprint, BactoSense is designed for industrial applications. It can be mounted directly on the wall or placed on a table, anywhere in a water supply or in a laboratory. It can be transported and used in the field.
The cartridge system of BactoSense removes the manipulation of toxic substances and avoids any contact with chemicals and their waste. The cartridge is hermetically sealed and reusable. It contains all you need for up to 1,000 measurements, giving your instrument a full autonomy for 3 weeks to 9 months depending on the frequency of your analyses. The cartridge replacement is then easily done within short time.
Application Examples
Early Contamination Detection
By continuously measuring parameters such as Total Cell Count (TCC), BactoScore™, analysing the Dotplots, the system can quickly identify abnormal biological activity.
In the highlighted section, a sudden increase in High Nucleic Acid Percentage (HNAP%) reveals a contamination event caused by E. coli and Enterococci. Because BactoSense provides continuous monitoring, operators receive an early warning and can take immediate corrective action before the issue escalates.
The same application can be applied to:
- 1.Groundwater and Riverwater Catchment
- 2.Water Utilities Distribution or Temporary Water Network
- 3.Extreme Weather such as Heavy Rainfall and Flooding
- 4.Water Reclamation and Water Reuse
- 5.Discharge Effluent
- 6.Early Detection of Biofilm Formation
Disinfection (UV or Chlorination) Performance Verification
By continuously monitoring microbial activity before and after the UV reactor, BactoSense can verify the effectiveness of the UV disinfection process in real time. Using flow cytometry parameters such as Total Cell Count (TCC) and Active Cell Count (ACC) measurements, the system provides immediate visibility into microbial inactivation performance.
In the example shown, bacterial counts increase after the replacement of activated carbon filtration media. However, once the water passes through the UV disinfection unit, the microbial levels return to the baseline values observed before the media replacement. This confirms that the UV treatment barrier remains effective despite fluctuations in upstream microbial load.
The same application can be applied to:
- 1.Treatment Train Efficiency Validation (Pre-Chlorination, Flocculation, Sedimentation, Sand or Membrane Filtration)
- 2.Verify Disinfection Performance (UV and Chlorination)
- 3.Optimise Chlorine Dosing in order to achieve direct drinking from the tap
- 4.Validation after Pipe Flushing, Reservoir Cleaning, Filter Media Replacement, etc
Contamination detection
While the TCC/ml remains relatively steady (blue curve), a distinct increase of the HNAP level is discernible (red curve), due to a contamination that occurred in the tubing. The online monitoring shows after a few hours that a cleaning is needed. Thanks to the quick reaction, time and money.
Error detection in desinfection system
This graph shows ICC/ml increasing significantly at a specific point (red curve), while TCC/ml remains relatively stable (blue curve). This allows a fast and precise understanding of the system failure in the water installation, which leads to highly efficient troubleshooting. BactoSense enables process enhancement and ensures that your systems functions flawlessly.
Flow Cytometry Analysis – Fluorescent Diagram
Where Bactosense makes an Impact
Raw Water
Monitor environmental factors such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and groundwater flow, and control the quality of incoming water to maintain standards and meet process requirements
Pre-Treatment
Evaluate pretreatment steps like flocculation, sedimentation, oxidation, pre-chlorination and respond quickly to changes in raw water quality by adjusting reagent dosing to ensure process efficiency
Filtration
Extend the lifespan of reverse osmosis, conventional, and ultrafiltration systems by monitoring sand, activated carbon, membrane filter efficiency and integrity and managing backflushes
Post-Treatment
Assess efficiency for all disinfection methods, such as chlorination, ozonation, or UV, and set alarm limits (Threshold) as the basis of an early warning system to detect failures
Distribution Network
Continuously monitor the water distribution network, identify sources of contamination, and optimize chlorine dosing to enable direct drinking from the tap while reducing byproduct formation and pipe corrosion caused by chlorine
Supply Records
| Project Title / Sales Activities | Year |
|---|---|
| 1. Demonstration at XEPA Soul-Pattinson Plant, Melaka | 2025 |
| 2. Demonstration at Sg. Labu WTP | 2025 |
| 3. Demonstration at Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd Vitagen Plant, PJ Selangor | 2025 |
| 4. Demonstration at Syarikat Air Terengganu HQ | 2025 |
| 5. Meeting, Discussion & Demonstration to the Engineering Services Department of Ministry of Health, MOH Malaysia | 2025 |
| 6. Demonstration at Kotra Pharma Plant, Melaka | 2025 |