The BioCassette™ developed by Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Inc. (EMLabTM) is a new device for culturable air sampling that is designed to both simplify the sampling process and protect the integrity of samples from sampling through analysis. The BioCassette™ combines the agar plate and sampling device into a single disposable cassette in a package that is roughly the size of a standard 90mm petri dish.

Since the agar plate and the sampling device are integrated into one unit, the BioCassette™ is both simpler and faster to use than a device that uses a separate petri dish. The Andersen™ sampler has a recommended cleaning procedure that should be carried out prior to each sample. The sampler then requires disassembly to load the media and reassembly prior to sampling. And then, of course, disassembly to remove the petri dish and reassembly prior to moving or storing the sampler. This is followed by the need to secure the petri dish lid with parafilm or similar laboratory tape. The BioCassette™ requires only the removal of a plastic plug and sealing label for sampling. Replace these components after sampling and the device is ready to ship to the laboratory.