RAYPA
Media
Preparators
RAYPA Media Preparators
All-in-one: simplify your workflow
Our media preparators integrate preparation, sterilization, rapid cooling, dispensing, and automatic cleaning into a compact and efficient system.
Forget manual work, reduce processing times, and ensure homogeneous and safe results with minimal intervention.
Automatic cleaning, no effort required
Our equipment features an automatic cleaning system that disinfects the lines before sterilization, during dispensing, and after each cycle, preventing both cross-contamination and media gelification.
Maximum hygiene. No manual cleaning or daily autoclaving required.
Tailored dispensing solutions
We offer options for all types of laboratories, from peristaltic pumps for small and medium volumes to external stations for large volumes and automated systems for Petri dishes.
Precision, speed, and flexibility to adapt to your needs and maximize your productivity.
Beyond the standard
When conventional solutions are not enough, we go one step further. We design customized equipment and accessories for laboratories with specific requirements: viscous media, high densities, or any non-standard application.
Tell us your case and we will make it possible.
Why choose RAYPA?
Proven track record and quality
Over 50 years developing proprietary technology to the highest standards.
Expert support
Personalized guidance before, during, and after purchase.
Global reach
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a media preparator used for?
A media preparator allows you to prepare, sterilize, and dispense large volumes of culture media from water and dehydrated media. Unlike traditional autoclave methods, this system ensures homogeneity, precise sterilization, traceability, reduced human intervention, and higher speed. It can also be integrated with other equipment for efficient dispensing.
What is the production capacity of a media preparator?
Production capacity varies depending on the model. Our equipment offers options ranging from 1 to 90 liters.
What types of media can a media preparator prepare?
A media preparator is used to prepare and sterilize a wide variety of solid and liquid media commonly used in microbiology and plant tissue culture.
These include peptone water, lysogeny broth (LB), Murashige and Skoog media, Linsmaier and Skoog, Gamborg media, tryptic soy agar (TSA), chocolate agar, MacConkey agar, Sabouraud agar, and Drosophila feed.
It also enables the preparation of specialized media such as charcoal agar, which does not require pre-swelling, or blood agar, with programmable cycles that allow blood to be added after sterilization. Additionally, it facilitates the incorporation of heat-sensitive nutrients or antibiotics after the thermal process.
How is culture media dispensed?
To select the appropriate dispensing method, the first step is to define the volume of media per container.
For small containers, such as test tubes, a peristaltic pump is typically used, activated by foot pedal or timer. If higher flow rates are required, a second pump can be added, reaching dispensing speeds between 7 and 33 mL/s depending on tube size and number of pumps.
For large containers, an external dosing station is used, activated by foot pedal or optical sensor, with flow rates ranging from 65 to 100 mL/s depending on back pressure.
For high-throughput Petri dish production, the best option is an automated carousel system.
What is required to install a media preparator?
All media preparator models, regardless of size or range, require the same basic connections: electrical supply, softened water inlet, and drainage.
Some accessories, such as the automatic filling kit, may require an additional water inlet.
High-power models must be installed with caution, as they may exceed the laboratory’s electrical specifications.
For more details, you can download the corresponding installation guide or contact us directly—we will be happy to assist you.
What type of water does a media preparator require?
Media preparators use water for three main functions: preparing the culture media, generating steam for sterilization, and rapid cooling via a coil system.
Water for media preparation is added to the chamber and can be selected by the user, although purified or demineralized water is recommended.
For steam generation and cooling, softened or purified water is required to prevent limescale buildup.
Filling can be performed manually or automatically, depending on the model and installed accessories.
For more information, download the installation guide for the corresponding model or contact us.
How does automatic cleaning of dispensing lines work?
The integrated self-cleaning system in the dispensing lines is a unique RAYPA innovation, available across all models to ensure efficiency and hygiene.
Before each dispensing cycle, the lines are automatically disinfected with steam, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
During operation, compressed air can be injected to prevent media solidification and allow operational pauses.
At the end of the cycle, the P1 CLEANING program performs a deep steam cleaning, leaving the lines ready for the next use without the need for autoclaving.
This system saves time and resources while ensuring high hygiene standards. For more information, feel free to contact us.
What services are included with the purchase of equipment?
With the purchase of a media preparator, we provide personalized consulting to help you select the most suitable model, configuration, and accessories.
This assessment takes into account the type and volume of media, dispensing method and volume, installation requirements, and regulatory considerations.
How can I ensure that the resulting media is not contaminated?
RAYPA media preparators are designed to minimize contamination risk through a fully controlled and automated process.
Sterilization is carried out using saturated steam, with precise temperature control directly inside the media via a flexible PT-100 probe, ensuring homogeneous and reproducible sterilization throughout the entire volume.
Additionally, the system includes an exclusive automatic steam cleaning system for the dispensing lines.
During dispensing, it is recommended to work under aseptic conditions, ideally using a laminar flow cabinet.
For high-throughput applications, the automated Petri dish dispensing system provides additional protection against contamination, as the dispensing area is enclosed and equipped with a UV-C lamp to maintain sterility.
How does F0 sterilization work?
F0 sterilization is an advanced method that quantifies the actual lethality of the sterilization process by considering both temperature and exposure time.
This system allows sterilization cycles to be adapted to different types of media, volumes, and thermal loads, ensuring the required sterility level without overexposing the media to heat.
As a result, media properties are better preserved, batch-to-batch reproducibility is improved, and full process traceability is achieved.