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BioMérieux, a manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics, has unveiled its latest develoment, the Gene-Up Pro HRM, a DNA-based test designed to detect heat-resistant moulds in beverages.

This solution promises to significantly enhance quality control processes within the juice and concentrate sectors, reducing the time required for testing from the traditional 15 days to just 72 hours.

In collaboration with Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., bioMérieux has developed this advanced testing method, which not only identifies the presence of viable heat-resistant moulds but does so with validated equivalency to established reference methods.

The rapid turnaround time of Gene-Up Pro HRM allows beverage producers to avoid costly storage fees associated with prolonged testing periods, thereby improving operational efficiency and safeguarding brand integrity.

Ben Pascal, global head of the xPro Program at bioMérieux, highlighted the partnership with Ocean Spray: "We embraced the opportunity to partner with Ocean Spray to create a custom microbiology quality control test that had broader implications for all juice and concentrate manufacturers".

Heat-resistant moulds have emerged as a significant quality concern for manufacturers, particularly as consumer expectations for product integrity continue to rise.

Unlike conventional yeast and mould testing kits, Gene-Up Pro HRMM targets specific ascospore profiles, providing a comprehensive and reliable testing solution. This innovation is poised to alleviate operational bottlenecks that have historically plagued the juice production process.

Chris McNamara, senior manager of food safety and quality assurance at Ocean Spray, commented: "Our loyal consumers have come to trust the high quality of our products and the integrity of our brand. Partnering with bioMérieux resulted in the development of a cutting-edge quality control solution with benefits not just for Ocean Spray but the industry at large."

Gene-Up Pro HRM can be integrated with bioMérieux’s existing Gene-Up Pro ACB, a real-time PCR assay that detects spoilage caused by Alicyclobacillus, further enhancing the quality assurance capabilities for beverage manufacturers.