Microbiology
Test kits for the detection of microbiological contamination
Microbiology
Food contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, molds or viruses may pose a risk to the consumer. In addition to the detection of pathogenic microorganisms, it is important to monitor typical spoilage organisms in order to reduce losses during production.
Microorganisms are creatures of microscopically small size, mainly organized as single-cell organisms, while some of them may occur multicellularly. They can be found everywhere in the natural environment (water, soil, air, etc.). Microorganisms may naturally be present in foods or on the surfaces of foods (e.g. fresh vegetables) or added as contamination during the manufacturing process of food products (e.g. insufficient hygiene in meat processing).
In food industry, it can be distinguished between different categories of microbiological contamination:
Pathogenic microorganisms are either not allowed at all to occur in the foodstuff or they are limited to a specified number of cells per gram food. These limits differ to the respective food matrix. (For more information please visit the DGHM Website.) If limits are exceeded, this might have tremendous consequences for consumer’s health. Therefore, a zero tolerance per 25 g of food sample is predicted for most of all common pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, etc.).
In general, you can differentiate between two methods of microbiological testing: food testing and hygiene monitoring / cleaning control.
Detection of microorganisms in the production environment
Microbiological tests for cleaning and hygiene control detect general residues of foods on insufficient cleaned surfaces in the production environment. These residues of nutrients are the basis for growth of microorganisms.
Colony counting in foods or on surfaces can be done using the ready-to-use Compact Dry plates. Compact Dry plates are available for 13 different parameters of analysis. General method base of examinations with Compact Dry is the cultivation of microorganisms on standard nutrient media. The test principle is based on specific chromogenic substrates which are converted into colored products by the metabolism of microorganisms. Beside examination of diluted food samples, Compact Dry is also suited for swab samples from surfaces or incubation of membrane filter samples from liquids.
Residues of foods on surfaces can be detected using protein tests (RIDA®CHECK) or ATP measurements (LuciPac™Pen, LuciPac™ A3 Surface). Determination of proteins roughly describes the stage of contamination by color change of the colorimetric detection reagent. However, the relative amount of ATP (Adenosintriphosphat) or AMP (Adenosinmonophosphat) respectively can be measured very precisely. A special bioluminescence reaction which requires the presence of ATP or AMP is recorded in a special luminometer instrument (Lumitester SMART). Both systems are suited for consistent control of efficiency of cleaning procedures. These controls ensure maintenance of general industrial hygiene. Surfaces which are hygienically clean can reduce the risk of product contaminations.
Compact Dry | RIDA®CHECK | Lumitester SMART |
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Ready-to-use nutrient plates | Protein test | ATP / AMP measurement |
Microbial count on surfaces and in diluted food samples | Swab test for the detection of food residues on surfaces | Detection of food residues on surfaces |
Easy and safe | Rapid and reliable method | Rapid and convenient using LuciPac®Pen and LuciPac™ A3 Surface with integrated swab |
Detection of microorganisms in foods
Toxic residues of bacteria in food and beverage samples can be analyzed with test kits for bacterial toxins. Common test formats for microbial food testing are ELISA assays, real-time PCR tests, nutrient plates and agar plates.
For detection of pathogenic bacteria, immunological based methods (ELISA) are available. RIDASCREEN® assays are based on the sandwich technology, in which the antigen (bacterial surface protein) will be captured in the well of a microplate and detected by adding a second antibody which is marked with a special detection enzyme. The immunological detection requires suitable pre-enrichment procedures depending on the kind of pathogen bacteria.
The detection of bacterial toxins is possible directly from food samples (RIDASCREEN® SET Total and RIDASCREEN® SET A,B,C,D,E) or is used for indirect detection of toxin producing pathogenic bacteria subsequent to appropriate pre-enrichment.
The identification of pathogenic bacteria and viruses can be performed with molecular biological systems, e.g. the highly specific real-time PCR kits of the SureFast® PATHOGEN line. The modular system consists of optimized DNA preparation via spin filter columns and the commonly used TaqMan hydrolysis probe technology linked with FAM dyes for detection. It can be performed with all commonly available types of real-time PCR thermo cyclers. The internal amplification control is integrated into all PLUS kits. The appropriate choice of amplification control dye depends on the cycler type where the reaction will be applied to.
RIDASCREEN® | SureFast® | Compact Dry |
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Immunological test (ELISA) | Molecular-biological test (real-time PCR) | Ready-to-use nutrient plates |
For the detection of bacteria and bacterial toxins | For the detection of bacteria and viruses | Microbial count on surfaces and in diluted food samples |
Rapid and reliable method | Highly specific and fast; suitable for all standard PCR thermal cyclers | Easy and safe |
SureFast® Microbiology
SureFast® real-time PCR tests are efficient and highly specific molecular biological tests for detecting microorganisms. Learn more in our product flyer.
Product portfolio
Product | Description | No. of tests/amount | Art. No. |
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Compact Dry AQ |
Usage of Compact Dry AQ is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of heterotrophic water bacteria from water samples (drinking and ultrapure water). The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish … Read more |
HS9541: 100 nutrient plates, HS9542: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9541 / HS9542 |
Compact Dry ETC |
Usage of Compact Dry ETC is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of Enterococcus in foods and water samples. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish containing a detection specific … Read more |
HS9461: 100 nutrient plates, HS9462: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9461 / HS9462 |
Compact Dry BC |
Usage of Compact Dry BC is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of Bacillus cereus in foods or raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish containing a detection specific … Read more |
HS9721: 100 nutrient plates, HS9722: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9721 / HS9722 |
Compact Dry X-SA |
Usage of Compact Dry X-SA is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of Staphylococcus aureus in foods, cosmetics or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special … Read more |
HS9621: 100 nutrient plates, HS9622: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9621 / HS9622 |
Compact Dry YM |
Usage of Compact Dry YM is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of yeasts and molds in foods or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter … Read more |
HS8801: 100 nutrient plates, HS8802: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8801 / HS8802 |
Compact Dry VP |
Usage of Compact Dry VP is a simple and safe test procedure for detection and quantification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus as well as Vibrio spp. in foods or raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish … Read more |
HS8821: 100 nutrient plates, HS8822: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8821 / HS8822 |
Compact Dry TC |
Usage of Compact Dry TC is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of aerobic mesophilic count in foods, cosmetics or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a … Read more |
HS8771: 100 nutrient plates, HS8772: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8771 / HS8772 |
Compact Dry SL |
Usage of Compact Dry SL is a simple and safe test procedure for detection of Salmonella in pre-enriched samples of foods or raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish containing a detection specific nutrient … Read more |
HS9401: 100 nutrient plates, HS9402: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9401 / HS9402 |
Compact Dry LS |
Usage of Compact Dry LS is a simple and safe test procedure for quantification of Listeria contaminations in foods or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish … Read more |
HS8811: 100 nutrient plates, HS8812: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8811 / HS8812 |
Compact Dry ETB |
Usage of Compact Dry ETB is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of Enterobacteria in foods, cosmetics or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm … Read more |
HS9431: 100 nutrient plates, HS9432: 40 nutrient plates (HS9432), four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS9431 / HS9432 |
Compact Dry EC |
Usage of Compact Dry EC is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of coliform bacteria and E. coli in foods, cosmetics, water or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist … Read more |
HS8781: 100 nutrient plates, HS8782: 40 nutrient plates (HS8782), four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8781 / HS8782 |
Compact Dry CF |
Usage of Compact Dry CF is a simple and safe test procedure for determination and quantification of coliform bacteria in foods, cosmetics or raw materials – as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm … Read more |
HS8791: 100 nutrient plates, HS8792: 40 nutrient plates, four plates are packed in one aluminum bag. |
HS8791 / HS8792 |
Product | Description | No. of tests/amount | Art. No. |
---|---|---|---|
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Hop resistance |
Qualitative detection and differentiation of the hop resistance genes hor A / hor C / hit A and ORF 5 as genetic markers for beer-spoilage microorganisms. Read more |
50 reactions | Q105 |
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Beer differentiation high |
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. | Q081 |
GEN-IAL® Biogenic amines |
Real-time PCR kit for the detection of biogenic amines producing lactic acid bacteria in wine. Read more |
50 reactions | Q345 |
SureFast® Enterobacteriaceae Screening PLUS |
The test detects Enterobacteriaceae DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5507 |
SureFast® Parasitic Water Panel 4plex |
The SureFast® Parasitic Water Panel 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium spp.. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control … Read more |
100 reactions | F5506 |
SureFast® Legionella 3plex |
The SureFast® Legionella 3plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of Legionella spp. and Legionella pneumophila. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5505 |
SureFast® Vibrio 4plex |
The SureFast® Vibrio 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5161 |
SureFast® Pseudomonas aeruginosa PLUS |
The SureFast® Pseudomonas aeruginosa PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific DNA sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5503 |
SureFast® Escherichia coli PLUS |
The test detects Escherichia coli DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5157 |
SureFast® Cronobacter sakazakii PLUS |
SureFast® Cronobacter sakazakii PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of Cronobacter sakazakii DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5115 |
SureFast® Cronobacter PLUS |
The test detects Cronobacter spp. DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5114 |
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Biofilm |
Real-time PCR detection of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactoccocus lactis and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, which are involved in the development of biofilms. Read more |
50 reactions | Q095 |
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Alicyclobacillus differentiation |
Qualitative detection and identification of Alicyclobacillus spp., Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. Read more |
48 reactions | Q724 |
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Dekkera bruxellensis quantitative high |
Qualitative and quantitative detection of Dekkera bruxellensis in wine and grape must. Read more |
48 reactions (freeze-dried, tubes incl. Lytikase and IC-DNA). | Q371 |
SureFast® Emetic Bacillus cereus PLUS |
The SureFast® Emetic Bacillus cereus PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific cereulide synthetase DNA sequence of the emetic Bacillus cereus. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5127 |
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii high |
Detection of Zygosaccharomyces bailii in wine and grape must by real-time PCR. Read more |
48 reactions (tubes incl. Lyticase and IC-DNA) | Q561 |
SureFast® Clostridium perfringens PLUS |
The SureFast® Clostridium perfringens PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific alpha-toxin DNA sequence of Clostridium perfringens. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5123 |
SureFast® Clostridium botulinum Screening PLUS |
The SureFast® Clostridium botulinum Screening PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of specific Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) A, B, E and F DNA sequences of Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium baratii and Clostridium butyricum. … Read more |
100 reactions | F5110 |
SureFast® Clostridium estertheticum PLUS |
The test detects Clostridium estertheticum DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5160 |
SureFast® Salmonella ONE |
Salmonella spp. detection with real-time PCR Two in one – Salmonella test kit with included DNA preparation The kit is intended to be used for the fast and simple isolation and detection of Salmonella DNA from enrichment cultures. Each reaction … Read more |
100 reactions | F5211 |
SureFast® Salmonella PLUS |
The SureFast® Salmonella PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific DNA sequence of Salmonella spp.. The SureFast® Salmonella PLUS real-time PCR kit has been validated and certified in combination with the … Read more |
100 reactions | F5111 |
SureFast® EHEC/EPEC 4plex |
SureFast® EHEC/EPEC 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of DNA sequences of the virulence factors stx1 (subtype a-d), stx2 (subtype a-g), eae and the E. coli and Shigella spp. virulence factor ipaH. The … Read more |
100 reactions | F5128 |
SureFast® Legionella Screen PLUS |
The test detects Legionella spp. DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5502 |
SureFast® Hepatitis A PLUS |
The test is a real-time RT-PCR for the direct and qualitative detection of hepatitis A virus. The test contains an Internal Control RNA (ICR) as an internal control of sample preparation procedure and to determine possible PCR-inhibition. For … Read more |
100 reactions | F7125 |
SureFast® Bacillus cereus group PLUS |
The SureFast® Bacillus cereus group PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of specific DNA sequences of Bacillus cereus group (Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus cytotoxis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus … Read more |
100 reactions | F5126 |
SureFast® Staphylococcus aureus PLUS |
The SureFast® Staphylococcus aureus PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific Staphylococcus aureus DNA sequence. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5116 |
SureFast® Listeria monocytogenes PLUS |
SureFast® Listeria monocytogenes PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of DNA sequences of the Listeria monocytogenes virulence-associated gene prfA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5113 |
SureFast® Listeria Screening PLUS |
The SureFast® Listeria Screening PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of a specific DNA sequence of Listeria spp.. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5117 |
SureFast® Legionella pneumophila PLUS |
The test detects Legionella pneumophila DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). Read more |
100 reactions | F5501 |
SureFast® Norovirus/Hepatitis A 3plex |
The SureFast® Norovirus/Hepatitis A 3plex is a multiplex real-time RT-PCR for the direct qualitative detection and differentiation of norovirus (genogroup I and II) and hepatitis A. The test contains an Internal Control RNA (ICR, consisting of … Read more |
100 reactions | F7124 |