[Skip to Content](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#main-content) [](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en) Products Cart0 PHEN Products [Login / Register](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/oidc-sign-in) [Order Lookup](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/order-lookup) [Quick Order](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/quick-order) Cart0 [Home](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en)[Bioburden Testing](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/applications/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing)Microfil® Membrane Filtration System # Microfil® Membrane Filtration System ## An easy to use, fast and accurate system for the routine microbiological analysis of beverages and drinking water The [Microfil® filtration system](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/search/microfil?focus=products&page=1&sort=relevance&term=microfil&type=product) is a simple and reliable solution for routine testing of raw materials, beverages and water for microbiological contamination. These tests are an important part of your quality assurance program. The standard testing method used in laboratories around the world for microbial analysis of fluids is membrane filtration. However, this method is technically demanding and requires time-consuming preparation, assembly and sterilization of the test apparatus. With our Microfil® filtration system, you will eliminate time-consuming steps, equipment setup, waste, and autoclaving while improving the productivity of your lab. This cost-effective system uses pre-sterilized, ready-to-use funnels and membranes on our Microfil® filtration head, for example for use with our [EZ-Fit® Manifold](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/ez-fit-manifold).  __Benefits:__ - No Preparation - No Washing - No Autoclaving - No Clamps - No Breakage - No Filter Wrinkling - No By-pass [Ordering information](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com#materials) ## Minimize Cleanup, Assembly and Autoclaving for Membrane Filtration  Ready-to-use, ultra-thin 100 or 250 mL Microfil® funnels eliminate the need for washing and sterilizing after each test and make equipment handling easy. Packaged in convenient stacks of 25 or 30, the funnels are removed as needed from the custom designed funnel dispenser. Vertical stacking of the funnels also optimizes lab space. A range of pre-sterilized 47 mm diameter gridded membranes are available with the Microfil® funnels. Each membrane is individually sealed in a pleated strip (EZ-Pak® membranes) or in peel back envelopes (S-Pak® membranes). Polycarbonate membranes are also available. For maximum convenience and hassle-free maintenance, combine it with our [EZ-Fit® Manifold](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/ez-fit-manifold). ## Easy-to-Use with no Clamps and no O-Rings The push-fit design of Microfil® funnels seals tightly to manifold supports without the need for clamps or O-rings. This ensures leak-free operation and uniform microorganism recovery. ## Consistent Microbiological Recoveries  Unlike with conventional filter holders, incomplete sealing at the membrane to funnel interface is eliminated resulting in uniform recovery of organisms. The smooth hydrophobic funnel surface repels sample residues and microorganisms to ensure that any microorganisms in your sample are collected on the membrane and not lost on the funnel walls. Pleating and distortion of the wet membrane due to expansion is avoided by the design of the support. As a result, uniform contact between the membrane and the medium is achieved. Our patented Microfil® head design allows for easy membrane removal from the base, avoiding cross-contamination from the forceps. ## Faster Filtration Rates  Due to the membrane support, filtration rates with the Microfil® filtration system are faster when compared to traditional filtration equipment. ## Regulatory Requirements The Microfil® filtration system method has been established with reference to International Standards allowing biological analysis to be conducted under optimum conditions and conforms to International Standards for drinking water and mineral water. #### United States Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 23rd edition, 2017 #### Europe EEC Directive 2009/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 18th June 2009 EEC Directive 98/83/EC, passed 3 November 1998 and amended to EC 2015 1787 in 2015, relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption #### Worldwide WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality __ISO 11731:2017:__ __Water Quality__ - Detection and enumeration of Legionella – Part 2: Direct membrane filtration method for waters with low bacterial counts. __ISO 8199:2018: Water Quality -__ Water quality – General guidance on the enumeration of microorganisms by culture. __ISO 7899-2:2000: Water Quality -__ Detection and enumeration of intestinal enterococci – Part 2: Membrane filtration method __ISO 7704:1985: Water Quality -__ Evolution of membrane filters used for microbiological analyses __ISO 16266:2006: Water Quality -__ Detection and enumeration of *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* by membrane filtration __ISO 14189:2013: Water Quality -__ Enumeration of *Clostridium perfringens* – Method using membrane filtration __ISO 17995:2005: Water Quality -__ Detection and enumeration of thermotolerant Campylobacter species __ISO 9308-1:2014:__ __Water Quality –__ Enumeration of *Escherichia coli* and Coliform Bacteria – Part 1: Membrane Filtration for waters with Low Bacterial background. ## Materials Sorry, an unexpected error has occurred Response not successful: Received status code 500 __Related Articles__ - [Microbial Detection Using Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Culture Media](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/clinical-testing-and-diagnostics-manufacturing/bacteriology/overview-chromogenic-media) - [EN ISO 11133 Microbiological Culture Media](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis-for-food-and-beverage/en-iso-11133-water-for-the-preparation-and-performance-testing) - [ISO Updates: Microbiological Food & Water Analysis](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/microbiological-analysis-for-food-and-beverage/updates-on-iso-standards) - [ISO 11133:2014 Quality Culture Media for Food and Water Testing](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/food-and-beverage-testing-and-manufacturing/regulatory-compliance-for-food-and-beverage/iso-11133-culture-media-food-and-water-testing) - [Assessing Level of Bacteria Purified Water](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/assessing-level-of-bacteria-purified-water) - [Compliant and Accurate Microbial Testing with the EZ Product Family](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/compliant-accurate-microbial-testing-ez-product-family) - [Milliflex Oasis® Filtration System](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/milliflex-oasis-filtration) - [Fluorescence-based Rapid Microbial Detection](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/technical-documents/technical-article/microbiological-testing/bioburden-testing/milliflex-quantum-rapid-detection) - [View More](https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/PH/en/search/facet-search?focus=sitecontent&term=facet-search) Top __Sign In To Continue__ To continue reading please sign in or create an account. 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