Dr Andreas Bubert: The enrichment of food samples using culture media is the first and most essential step in food testing, regardless of which rapid detection method is used.
Merck Millipore manufactures and certifies all media according to the latest international standards (ISO 11133 describes the preparation and quality control of culture media). We provide quantitative information about the growth performance of ‘wanted’ microorganisms (bacteria that need to grow on a medium) and ‘unwanted’ (bacteria that should not grow on a medium) microorganisms.
High-quality culture media efficiently support the growth of ‘wanted’ microorganisms and suppress the growth of ‘unwanted’ microorganisms, which could lead to inaccurate results. False results can slow product time to market and lead to contamination and are more likely to occur when using low-budget culture media without quantitative performance information.
The information we provide is important for food laboratories, as it significantly reduces their workload for the qualification of new culture media batches.
Additionally, Merck Millipore offers media in granulated form instead of the traditional powdered format. Granulated media simplifies preparation because it doesn’t clump, is easily dissolved and provides a safer lab environment for lab personnel. Powdered media contains potentially hazardous ingredients such as dyes, antibiotics, organic and inorganic substances. A significant amount of dust is generated during weighing using powdered media, which can cause allergic reactions and difficulty breathing. This is avoided with use of granulated media.
Merck Millipore has a wide portfolio of microbiology testing solutions and offers the largest collection of rapid assays for testing the most common pathogens, such as Listeria, Salmonella, STEC, Campylobacter etc. These tests can be performed without special training because their ‘pregnancy type’ format provides easily readable ‘yes/no’ answers. Results are delivered within 20-25 minutes after sample enrichment, which is significantly faster than traditional methods.
In addition, environmental monitoring according to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines is an important aspect of food testing. Merck Millipore provides an extensive portfolio of rapid and convenient monitoring of surfaces and air quality to maintain proper hygienic conditions during production.
Dr Andreas Bubert: Merck Millipore’s Spectroquant Pharo series combines the benefits of a system photometer with those offered by a spectrophotometer. The Spectroquant Pharo 100 (VIS) and 300 (UV/VIS) spectrophotometers offer more than 170 pre-programmed tests and methods for applications in food and water analytics such as the quality control of beer, bottled drinking water or fruit juices, the analysis of untreated water, cooling and boiled water or for raw materials and disinfection control.
Through updates downloaded from the internet, the instruments always provide advanced analyses. In addition, Spectroquant Pharo spectrophotometers enable customised methods for performing quality control tests.
Dr Andreas Bubert: Merck Millipore’s MQuant test detects the presence of lactoperoxidase in milk significantly faster than traditional photometric applications, enabling rapid confirmation of successful pasteurisation. The MQuant test enables detection cost-effectively and colourimetrically for easily readable results. Additionally, the test can be performed right where the sample is taken, decreasing time to outcome.
Application of the rapid MQuant test is simple: the milk sample is diluted with distilled water and mixed with a small amount of the reagent provided in the test kit. The test strip is then dipped into the solution and a chemical reaction is triggered; an organic redox indicator is converted to a blue compound if peroxidase is present. The strip’s colour can be compared with the colour scale provided, to indicate whether there is no, low or significant peroxidase activity. If lactoperoxidase is detected, milk was successfully pasteurised.
Dr Andreas Bubert: We have several products for microbiology testing for the dairy industry. The Singlepath/Duopath product line is used for testing of major pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria Genus, Listeria monocytogenes, and STEC/EHEC bacteria in dairy products. We also offer a range of products for testing of Bacillus cereus toxins.
The Bacillus cereus EMETIX Toxin Marker test is the first commercially available rapid method that enables customers to monitor dairy products for the presence/absence of Bacillus cereus toxigenic bacteria. This test has already received approval in Malaysia as a quick test to analyse UHT milk for schools.
Another product is the TOS MUP agar for enumeration of Bifidobacteria in dairy products. The TOS MUP agar is precisely manufactured according to the latest ISO standard and provides more precise and reliable numbers of live Bifidobacteria in dairy products than with the usage of other agars. This enables dairy producers more accurately to determine the shelf life of their probiotic product.
Dr Andreas Bubert: Cost and time savings are critical but are not the only concerns of our customers. Product quality and consumer safety are also very important. A growing number of our customers are interested in workflow improvement combined with convenience of method and time to result, which is not primarily a reflection of cost.
Companies looking to expand business may focus on inventory management, while companies in industries where shelf life is short may focus on time to product release. However, there is a trend towards rapid results and workflow improvement, which can generate cost savings with limited investment and minimal change to QC laboratory organisation.
Dr Andreas Bubert: We have combined our range of products for pathogen and bioburden (spoilage) testing and for hygiene monitoring in food production.
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