Real-time PCR

Molecular diagnostics in food analysis

Real-time PCR

PCR (short for polymerase chain reaction) is an important analysis method in food analysis as well as in medical diagnostics.

A real-time PCR test duplicates and analyzes specific DNA sequences. In food analysis, PCR tests are used in many applications, e.g. for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms, for allergen identification, for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMO) or for the identification of animal species. PCR tests offer many advantages: They are very specific, sensitive, robust, rapid, reliable and moreover, the tests can be automated.

Safe: specific and validated method
Reliable: quality-controlled test kits
User-friendly: easy-to-use, universal sample preparation
Effective: capable to multiplex and quantify
Versatile: many application areas

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Real-time PCR explained

The first step of all analysis is representative sampling and homogenization. After lysis of the organic cells of food tissue, the DNA will be prepared using different dedicated DNA or RNA preparation kits either for bacteria or viruses.

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Your way to automation

Discover the new walk-away solution: Semi-automated nucleic acid preparation for all food and feed samples with the TANBead Maelstrom™ 8 Autostage and the extraction kit SureFast® Mag PREP Food.

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The multiplex real-time PCR thermocycler

RIDA®CYCLER is a compact and easy-to-use real-time PCR cycler that allows fast and flexible analysis of your food & feed samples. The user-friendly software enables a fast analysis start of one or more tests simultaneously.

SureFood® PREP Basic and SureFood® Prep Advanced kits are used for solid food and feed from plant or meat origin. For beverages specific DNA preparation kits will be used depending on the matrix, whereas the new QuickGEN line allows a straight forward easy handling.

The modular system of DNA preparation and DNA detection can be used independently. Amplification of the target DNA requires in addition to the relevant kits the use of a suitable thermocycler with two (FAM/HEX) up to 4 (FAM/HEX/ROX/Cy5) detection channels.

Application areas for PCR in food testing

Real-time PCR Product Overview

Food allergies can cause severe immunological reactions. In order to protect customers, food products have to be tested for allergenic substances. We offer a wide range of PCR kits for the detection of allergens such as soya, hazelnut, peanut, gluten, almond, celery, sesame, mustard, fish or crustaceans. We also offer multiplex assays for the simultaneous detection of multiple allergens (peanut/hazelnut/walnut and celery/soya/mustard).

Species specification is of great interest: meat products can be falsified due to incorrect declaration (see horse meat scandal). Another application is the guarantee of religious dietary rules (halal, kosher). Our SureFood® Animal ID product line allows for sensitive testing for pork, beef, horse, donkey, chicken, turkey and other species. With the SureFood® Fish ID product line, we offer a wide range of PCR kits for the identification of fish species.

When producing beverages, the detection of beverage spoilers is crucial. With the GEN-IAL® product line, we offer a wide range of screening kits for the detection of spoilage organisms in beer and wine production, e.g. Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Megasphaera, Pectinatus, Dekkera bruxellensis or Oenococcus oeni. The test kits can be used for in-process control as well as for final product control.

In recent years, the worldwide production of genetically modified food has steadily increased. Since food products, which contain genetically modified organisms (GMO), must be labelled, the demand for sensitive test methods is increasing. Our SureFood® GMO product line allows for qualitative and quantitative detection of GMO – such as genetically modified maize, LibertyLink Rice or Roundup Ready Soya.

Detection of microbiological contamination is one of the main fields of application of PCR in food analysis. Our product line SureFast® detects a wide range of pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Salmonella, Listeria, Legionella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter), viruses (e.g. Norovirus, Hepatitis and Influenza) as well as spoilage yeast and bacteria.

Product portfolio

Food adulteration

Modern analytical methods for the detection of food fraud

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
SureFood® ANIMAL QUANT Turkey	The SureFood® ANIMAL QUANT Turkey real-time PCR detects the relative turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) DNA amount to the total animal (amnions) DNA content in meat samples. Therefore the kit contains two PCR systems, one for detection of a turkey … Read more	2 x 50 reactions	S1015
SureFood® Apricot	The real-time PCR test detects DNA of apricot (Prunus armenica). Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more	100 reactions	S7007
SureFood® ANIMAL ID 4plex Camel/Horse/Donkey + IAAC	The test detects camel DNA of Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) and of Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), horse DNA (Equus caballus) and donkey DNA (Equus asinus). Each reaction contains an internal amplification control and an internal detection … Read more	100 reactions	S6131
SureFood® ANIMAL ID 3plex Water Buffalo/Beef+IAAC	The test detects water buffalo (Bubalis arnee) and beef (Bos taurus) DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control and an internal detection assay for vertebrates DNA (IAAC). Read more	100 reactions	S6130

Food allergens

Reliable analytical solutions for your allergen management

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Cereals	The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Cereals is a real-time PCR test for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific wheat (Triticum), barley (Hordeum vulgare) and rye (Secale cereale) DNA sequences in food. Each reaction contains an … Read more	100 reactions	S7006
SureFood® Apricot	The real-time PCR test detects DNA of apricot (Prunus armenica). Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more	100 reactions	S7007
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Macadamia / Brazil Nut / Pecan + IAC	The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Macadamia/Brazil Nut/Pecan + IAC is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific macadamia (Macadamia ternifolia), brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) and pecan (Carya … Read more	100 reactions	S3403

Genetically modified organisms

Innovative solutions for the detection of GMO in food

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
SureFood® GMO SCREEN 4plex BAR/PAT/CryIAb/IAc/ CTP2:CP4 EPSPS	The SureFood® GMO SCREEN 4plex BAR/PAT/CryIAb/IAc/CTP2:CP4 EPSPS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of following specific genetically modified DNA – sequences. Phosphinothricin-Acetyltransferase gene … Read more	100 reactions	S2128
SureFood® GMO ID 4plex Corn I	The SureFood® GMO ID 4plex Corn I is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of following specific genetically modified corn DNA sequences: FAM channel: MON810 corn (OECD unique identifier MON-ØØ81Ø-6) VIC/HEX … Read more	100 reactions	S2170
SureFood® GMO ID 4plex Soya II	SureFood® GMO ID 4plex Soya II is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific genetically modified soya DNA sequences listed as below: Roundup Ready Soya (RR Soya) (OECD unique identifier … Read more	100 reactions	S2162

Microbiology

Test kits for the detection of microbiological contamination

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening white	Qualitative detection and differentiation of bacterial and yeast contaminations in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q323
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening low	Qualitative detection and differentiation of bacterial and yeast contaminations in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q322
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Saccharomyces diastaticus high	Detection of Saccharomyces diastaticus in beverages by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q181
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Bottom fermented white	Detection of bottom-fermented yeast in beverages by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q163
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Bottom fermented low	Detection of bottom-fermented yeast in beverages (e.g. beer, wine, grape must) by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q162
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN® Yeast Top fermented white	Real-time PCR-Kit for the detection of top-fermented yeast. Read more	48 reactions	Q153
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN® Yeast Top fermented low	Real-time PCR-Kit for the detection of top-fermented yeast. Read more	48 reactions	Q152
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Beer differentiation white	Differentiation of beer spoilage bacteria and yeast in beer and mixed beer drinks. The following bacteria and yeast are differentiated: L. acetotolerans, L. backii, L. brevis/L. brevisimilis/L. parabrevis, L. lindneri, L. casei/ L paracasei, L. … Read more	12 strips à 8 tubes (one strip per sample, tube 2 contains lyticase) for 12 samples.	Q083
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Beer differentiation low	Differentiation of beer spoilage bacteria and yeast in beer and mixed beer drinks. The following bacteria and yeast are differentiated: L. acetotolerans, L. backii, L. brevis/L. brevisimilis/L. parabrevis, L. lindneri, L. casei/ L paracasei, L. … Read more	12 strips à 8 tubes (one strip per sample, tube 2 contains lyticase) for 12 samples.	Q082
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Beer yeast and bacteria differentiation white	Differentiation of beer spoilage bacteria and yeast in beer and mixed beer drinks. The following bacteria and yeasts are differentiated: Lactobacilli Pediococci Acetic acid bacteria Enterobacteriaceae Bottom-fermented yeast Top-fermented yeast Wild … Read more	96 PCR reactions (24 samples) 12 stripes (tubes 2, 3, 5 and 6 contain lyticase)	Q073
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Beer yeast and bacteria differentiation low	Differentiation of beer spoilage bacteria and yeast in beer and mixed beer drinks. The following bacteria and yeasts are differentiated: Lactobacilli Pediococci Acetic acid bacteria Enterobacteriaceae Bottom-fermented yeast Top-fermented yeast Wild … Read more	96 PCR reactions (24 samples) 12 stripes	Q072
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening and Hop resistance	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations and the hop resistance genes hor A and hor C as genetic markers for beer-spoilage microorganisms in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	50 reactions	Q055
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening and Hop resistance low MG	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations and the hop resistance genes hor A and hor C as genetic markers for beer-spoilage microorganisms in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q054
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening and Hop resistance white	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations and the hop resistance genes hor A and hor C as genetic markers for beer-spoilage microorganisms in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q053
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening and Hop resistance low	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations and the hop resistance genes hor A and hor C as genetic markers for beer-spoilage microorganisms in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q052
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 and S. diastaticus Screening	Qualitative detection of bacterial and S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus contaminations in filtrated beer, beer mixes and yeast containing samples. Read more	50 reactions	Q045
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 and S. diastaticus Screening low MG	Qualitative detection of bacterial and S.diastaticus contaminations in filtrated beer and mixed beer drinks and yeast containing samples. Read more	48 reactions	Q044
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 and S. diastaticus Screening white	Qualitative detection of bacterial and S.diastaticus contaminations in filtrated beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q043
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 and S. diastaticus Screening low	Qualitative detection of bacterial and S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus contaminations in filtrated beer, beer mixes and yeast containing samples. Read more	48 reactions	Q042
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening without yeast	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	50 reactions	Q035
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening without yeast white	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q033
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening without yeast low	Qualitative detection of bacterial contaminations in beer and mixed beer drinks. Read more	48 reactions	Q032
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening	Qualitative detection of bacterial and yeast contaminations in filtrated beer and beer mixes. For products with high amount of yeast use the Screening Kit without yeast detection to find bacterial contaminations more sensitive (Q035). Read more	50 reactions	Q025
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening low MG	Qualitative detection of bacterial and yeast contaminations in filtrated beer and beer mixes. Read more	48 reactions	Q024
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening white	Qualitative detection of bacterial and yeast contaminations in filtrated beer and beer mixes. For products with high amount of yeast use the Screening Kit without yeast detection to find bacterial contaminations more sensitive (Q033). Read more	48 reactions	Q023
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening low	Qualitative detection of bacterial and yeast contaminations in filtrated beer and beer mixes. For products with high amount of yeast use the Screening Kit without yeast detection to find bacterial contaminations more sensitive (Q032). Read more	48 reactions	Q022
SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype II 4plex	The SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype II 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific wzx gene DNA sequences of Escherichia coli O45, wbdl gene DNA sequences of Escherichia coli O111 and ihp1 gene … Read more	100 reactions	F5168
SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype I 4plex	The SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype I 4plex is a real-time PCR kit for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specfifc wzx gene DNA sequences of Escherichia coli O121, O26 and O103. Read more	100 reactions	F5167
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening without yeast high	Qualitative detection of Lactobacilli, Pediococci, Oenococcus oeni and acetic acid bacteria in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q331
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening high	Qualitative detection and differentiation of bacterial and yeast contaminations in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q321
SureFast® Foodborne Pathogens 4plex	The SureFast® Foodborne Pathogens 4plex is a real-time PCR for for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of Escherichia coli virulence factors (stx1 [subtype a-d], stx2 [subtype a-g]), Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.. Each … Read more	100 reactions	F5175
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wild yeast 2	Detection of wild yeast in beverages by real-time PCR. The following yeasts are detected: Candida glabrata Candida albicans Candida kefyr Candida intermedia Candida parapsilosis Candida sake Candida tropicalis Naumovozyma dairenensis Pichia … Read more	50 reactions	Q535
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wild yeast 1 low	Detection of wild yeast in beverages by real-time PCR. The following yeasts are detected: Dekkera anomala Dekkera bruxellensis Dekkera custersiana Dekkera naardenensis Debaromyces hansenii Hanseniaspora guillermondii Hanseniaspora osmophila … Read more	48 reactions	Q522
SureFast® Salmonella Species/Enteritidis/Typhimurium 4plex	The SureFast® Salmonella Species/Enteritidis/Typhimurium 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of Salmonella spp., Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium. Each reaction contains an internal … Read more	100 reactions	F5166
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 Screening high	Qualitative detection of bacterial and yeast contaminations in filtrated beer and beer mixes. For products with high amount of yeast use the Screening Kit without yeast detection to find bacterial contaminations more sensitive (Q031). Read more	48 reactions	Q021
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Enterobacteriacea spp.	Qualitative multiplex PCR-detection of enterobacteriaceae as indicators for hygiene and postprocessing contaminations. The system contains an integrated inhibition control. Read more	50 reactions	Q145
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Lactobacillus spp. / Pediococcus spp.	Qualitative detection of Lactobacillus spp. and Pediococcus spp. in beverages. Read more	48 reactions tube strips (freeze-dried, incl. IC-DNA)	QTLP0048*

Real-time PCR

Molecular diagnostics in food analysis

Technologies