NFALRC

Sebeta

June 27

2016 FISHERY AND MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

AND

NUTRITION AND WATER CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Renovation

Report

INTRODUCTION

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research launched the formation of the then called total

quality management directorate in 2013 with the core concept of mainstreaming quality system

in research and support program of EIAR. with this core concept, the directorate was given two

major objectives to achieve for the Institute: accreditation of laboratories and certification of the

institute with international organization. Later on, the institute decided to pool it's laboratories

into one system and to be managed by the quality directorate. The name of the directorate was

also renamed as Agricultural and Nutritional Research Laboratories Directorate with given

responsibilities of conducting quality related laboratory activities to improve the quality of

agricultural technologies.

As of 2013, the directorate has made untiring effort to strengthen the capacity of EIAR

laboratories through laboratory renovation, manpower recruitment, training and other activities

as part of accreditation process. So far, after passing through this time taking and exhaustive

work, seven laboratories of the institute now got accredited by international organization and

certified ISO/IEC-17025. Many other laboratories of the institute are also in the process of

accreditation to achieve quality in their research laboratories. Among these, NFALRC

laboratories (nutrition and water chemistry; and fishery and microbiology laboratory) are also

going in the process of accreditation since the past year.

ANRLD IN NFALRC

National Fishery and Aquatic Life Research Center, the only center dealing with research on fish

and aquatic life among EIAR centers, had two research laboratories with limited laboratory

facilities and small laboratory rooms. After the establishment of ANRLD, the center laboratories

became beneficiaries of the directorate in various ways. The team in NFALRC has given

responsibility by the directorate to organize laboratories. After taking experience of some

research laboratories of the institute, the team proposed renovation of the existing laboratories as

a short term plan and recommended construction of new laboratory compartment for the center.

FISHERY AND MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY

Renovation Process

The former nutrition laboratory which was to small to conduct analysis was merged with lab

store and the corridor so that to have relatively larger laboratory. The room after merging, well

renovated with new ceiling, epoxy flooring, fully installed water lines, electric sockets and

adequate lightings. Furthermore, the lab was furnished with strong steel stand MDF benches with

top granite.

No. Renovated component Description Quantity Remark

1 Ceiling PVC type 30m2 Very good

2 Flooring Sage green epoxy 30m2 Very good

3 Wall Painting with white

color washable paint

Whole wall Very good

4 Benches Strong steel stand

with MDF made

drawers

6 pcs Very good

5 Aluminum Partition Aluminum sheet

with glass partition

for mini

microbiology lab

12m2 Very good

6 Electric lines(sockets &

lighting)

On wall fitted

sockets and

fluorescent lights for

adequate lighting

6 double paired

fluorescent

lights, 6 on

wall fitted

sockets

Very good

7 Water lines(lab sinks

and

Lab sinks fitted with

water supply and

waste water removal

3pcs Very good

fishery & microbiology lab before and after renovation

Major Facilities in the Lab

The lab is equipped with basic equipments required to conduct fish biology, fish microbiology

and aquatic life research activities. Major equipments found in the lab includes; level II bio

safety cabinet, different microscopes (binoculars, stereo microscopes, inverted microscope),

incubator, colony counter, refrigerators and different balances. In addition epoxy floor and

partitioned microbiology room allow analysis of microbiological parameters including those

which require safety and clean environment.

Scope Testing of the Lab

In fishery and microbiology lab various biological samples mainly targeting fish, water and

other aquatic life will be analyzed. Discipline wise, the lab will address analysis questions of fish

biology, ecological water biology, fish health and food safety. Therefore considering the above

disciplines, the lab's scope of testing of the lab includes fish species identification, benthic

identification, phytoplankton identification and quantification, zooplankton identification and

quantification, fish parasite detection, gut content analysis, fish fillet bacterial safety etc.

No. Parameter Test Methods (references)

1 zooplankton Fernando et al. ,(1990)

2 Phytoplankton Whitford

&Schumacher,(1973);

Talling(1987); & Willen

(1991)

3 Total plate count

4 Total coli form

5 Yeast and mold

6 Staphylococcus aureus

7 Lactic acid bacteria

NUTRITION AND WATER CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Renovation Process

The former fishery and limnology laboratory which was engaged in conducting analysis on

limnology. In this laboratory biological and chemical analysis of samples were conducted

together in the same environment where there could be a potential interference of analytical

results from one another. But, now the laboratory is assigned for analysis of samples requiring

chemical and physicochemical analysis. In so doing, water chemistry, feed and food analysis

parameters are now conducted in this lab. As part of renovation process, the lab benches were

completely changed with new and quality ones, chemical store was segregated alone, sample

store and balance room was prepared alone, custodian room was prepared in a separate room,

new water lines and electric sockets were installed as per the requirement.

No. Renovated component Description Quantity Remark

1 Wall Painting with white

color washable paint

Whole wall Very good

2 Benches Strong steel stand

with MDF made

drawers, and one

with overhead

drawer for main

working area

10 pcs Very good

3 Aluminum Partition Aluminum sheet

with glass partition

to segregating

custodian with

sample room

10m2 Very good

4 Electric lines(sockets &

lighting)

On wall fitted

sockets and

fluorescent lights for

adequate lighting

5 double paired

fluorescent

lights, 8 on

wall fitted

sockets

Very good

5 Water lines(lab sinks

and

Lab sinks fitted with

water supply and

waste water removal

3pcs Good but lab

sinks were not

standard for lab

use

nutrition and water chemistry lab before and after renovation

Major Facilities in the Lab

The lab is equipped with major facilities required to conduct water quality, feed and food

analysis parameters. major equipments found in the lab includes; fume hood, kjeldahl digestion

and distillation unit, soxhlet extraction unit, ovens, furnace, digital turbidity meter, digital pH

meter, different sample preparation equipments, varying scale balances and other equipments

required for feed, food, and water chemistry analysis.

Scope Testing of the Lab

In water chemistry and nutrition lab, chemical analysis of water samples mainly physicochemical

parameters and nutrients are analyzed; and from feed and food parameters proximate analysis

will be conducted. The lab in the future is expected to advance in analyzing water sample and

feed and food analysis parameters.

No. Parameter Test Methods (references)

1 Total nitrogen(protein) AOAC:984.13

2 Ash content AOAC.923.03

3 Crude fat AOAC:945.16

4 Moisture

5 Crude fiber

6 Total phosphorous APHA(1995)

7 Reactive phosphorous APHA(1995)

8 Nitrate-nitrogen APHA(1995)

9 Ammonium-nitrogen APHA(1995)

10 Conductivity Conductivity meter

11 Chlorophyll a Wetzel &likens,2000

12 Turbidity

13 pH

14 Alkalinity

15 Hardness