IncuCount Automated Colony Counter and Inhibition Zone Reader

The IncuCount Automated Colony Counter and Inhibition Zone Reader is a compact, high-precision microbiology instrument designed for fast, reliable colony counting and antibiotic inhibition zone measurement. Built for laboratory accuracy and regulatory compliance, it combines advanced imaging technology with robust software to support microbiology, food safety, pharmaceutical, environmental, and research applications.

The IncuCount detects colonies as small as 0.07 mm, providing high sensitivity for accurate counting of very small bacterial growth. A recent white paper demonstrated 99.23% average accuracy on E. coli using MacConkey agar, reinforcing performance confidence in demanding laboratory workflows.

Equipped with a 4K (3240 × 2160) USB CCD camera and LED top and bottom illumination for transillumination, the system produces sharp, detailed images for precise colony differentiation and inhibition zone measurement. It can differentiate colonies by color, count spiral plates, and measure antibiotic reaction zones, making it well suited for food safety microbiologists and advanced research laboratories.

The IncuCount supports applications including bacterial growth studies, recombinant DNA vectors with blue-white screening, gram staining listeria, bacterial CRISPR research, and detection of E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.

Featured in the biotech laboratory on CBS’s television show ZOO and covered by International Business Times and Yahoo! News, the IncuCount delivers advanced colony counting performance in a compact, portable format while supporting regulated workflows and global laboratory environments.

Three models to choose from:

• IC-75 - device only, requires a laptop or desktop running Windows 11
• IC-150 - device with Tablet, pre-loaded with software
• IC-200 - device with Tablet and Tablet Stand, pre-loaded with software

Dual functionality in one device:

• Automated bacterial colony counting
• Precise antibiotic inhibition zone measurement

Broad media compatibility ensures seamless operation with:

• Standard 100 mm Petri plates
• PetriFilm™
• Microfast™
• CompactDry™
• Similar microbiological formats

Key Features

• Counter dimensions: 7.25 x 6.25 inches (device only)
• Standalone model IC-75 is compatible with Windows 11 on a laptop or desktop (not included) or with Tablet included in IC-150 and IC-200 models.
• Ultra-compact footprint (excluding PC)
• Global power compatibility: 100–240 VAC, 1.7 A

Applications

The IncuCount automated colony counter supports a wide range of microbiology and life science applications, including:

• Ames test for mutagenicity assessment
• Automated colony counting and microbial enumeration (CFU detection)
• Bacillus analysis
• Bacterial transformation
• Bioburden test
• Blue-white mutant detection
• Cancer research
• Carbonated drinks microbial growth analysis
• Color differentiation and adhesion classification of colonies
• Counting bacterial colonies and CFUs
• CRISPR for bacteria
• Data integrity and audit trails for regulatory compliance (e.g., 21 CFR Part 11)
• Environmental monitoring
• High-throughput screening of bacterial/fungal colonies
• Image processing for precise, reproducible results on various media types (e.g., standard 100mm petri plates, filters, MicroFast, PetriFilm, Compact Dry, and more)
• Inhibition zone measurement for antibiotic susceptibility testing and viral plaques
• Juice yeast and mold count
• Lab proficiency testing
• LB agar transformation
• Mammalian cell colonies
• Microbial Limits test / overlap analysis
• Microfiltration
• Microorganism growth rate studies
• Micro-particle size detection and analysis
• Mouse Lymphoma count
• Particle counting
• Plaque counts (Transduction)
• Preservative Efficacy test
• Quality control in fluids contamination and hygiene studies
• Raw water analysis
• Single Radial Immunodiffusion
• Spheroid, organoid, and tumor cell colony analysis
• StemCell (Haematopoietic) count
• Water plate count (Drinking Water)
• Yeast complementation assay

Area of Focus

• Microbiology
• Food and Beverage testing
• Bacteriology
• Pharmaceutical laboratories
• Environmental and Water testing