Innovative modular pour plating microbiology culture media technology

Tesi amb menció de Doctorat Industrial (Generalitat de Catalunya) (English) The current methods used in microbiological quality analysis rely on the use of traditional and manual methods, such as the pour plate method. The need to perform more analyses of different matrices makes it necessary to improve these methods. Thus, this thesis focuses on the design of systems in which the manual work of laboratory technicians is reduced. In order to meet the main objective, this thesis has been separated into two subjects, i.e., microbiology and mechanical and fluid engineering. The union of these two fields is essential for the achievement of this need. The starting point for microbiology focused on the separation of culture media into their different phases. This separation would allow both easier maintenance of the media and a simpler dosage of the same. In addition, studies and the establishment of a protocol for sterilizing the culture medium in a microwave oven were also carried out. By means of Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD), studies were carried out to design a static homogenizer so that the culture medium would be completely mixed when pouring onto the plates. In addition, a device was designed with which the dosing of the culture medium, once separated into its components, was possible. The favorable results obtained in both microbiological and engineering studies demonstrate that a pour plate method automation system is possible. Hence, the development of this new line of research will continue, as this study is only the starting point for the development of such a system. (Català) Els mètodes actuals utilitzats en l'anàlisi de la qualitat microbiològica es basen en l'ús de mètodes tradicionals i manuals, com el mètode de la sembra en massa. La necessitat de realitzar més anàlisi de matrius diferents fa necessari millorar aquests mètodes. Per això, aquesta tesi es centra en el disseny de sistemes en els quals es disminueixi el treball manual dels tècnics de laboratori. Per a complir amb l'objectiu principal, aquesta tesi s'ha dividit en dues matèries, la microbiologia i l'enginyeria mecànica i de fluids. La unió d'aquests dos camps és essencial per a aconseguir i satisfer aquesta necessitat. El punt de partida de la microbiologia es va centrar en la separació dels medis de cultiu en les seves diferents fases. Aquesta separació permetria tant un manteniment més fàcil dels medis com un dosatge més senzill d'aquests. A més, es van realitzar estudis i e