Microbiology
Test kits for the detection of microbiological contamination
Microbiology
Food contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, molds, or viruses can pose significant risks to consumers. In addition to detecting pathogenic microorganisms, monitoring typical spoilage organisms is crucial to minimize production losses.
Microorganisms are microscopic entities, primarily single-celled, although some can be multicellular. They are ubiquitous, found in water, soil, air, and various natural environments. In the food industry, microorganisms can naturally occur in foods, be present on food surfaces (e.g., fresh vegetables), or be introduced during the manufacturing process due to insufficient hygiene practices (e.g., meat processing).
In the food industry, microbiological contamination can be categorized into:
Pathogenic microorganisms must either be completely absent in foodstuffs or limited to a specified number of cells per gram of food, varying by food matrix. For more information please visit the DGHM Website. Exceeding these limits can have severe consequences for consumer health, with a zero-tolerance policy for most common pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, etc.) in 25 g food samples.
Methods of microbiological testing
Microbiological testing can be broadly classified into food testing and hygiene monitoring/cleaning control.
Detection of microorganisms in the production environment
Microbiological tests for cleaning and hygiene control detect food residues on insufficiently cleaned surfaces in the production environment, providing a growth basis for microorganisms. Colony counting in foods or on surfaces can be conducted using ready-to-use Compact Dry plates, available for 13 different analysis parameters. These plates use standard nutrient media and chromogenic substrates, which convert into colored products by microbial metabolism. Compact Dry plates can test diluted food samples, swab samples from surfaces, or membrane filter samples from liquids.
Food residues on surfaces can also be detected using protein tests (RIDA®CHECK) or ATP measurements (LuciPac™ Pen, LuciPac™ A3 Surface). Protein tests indicate contamination levels via color change in the detection reagent. ATP or AMP measurements are highly precise, using a bioluminescence reaction recorded by a luminometer (Lumitester SMART). Both systems consistently control cleaning procedure efficiency, ensuring industrial hygiene and reducing the risk of product contamination.
| Compact Dry | RIDA®CHECK | Lumitester SMART |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Bacterial toxins in food and beverage samples can be analyzed with various test kits, including ELISA assays, real-time PCR tests, nutrient plates, and agar plates.
For detecting pathogenic bacteria, immunological methods (ELISA) are available. RIDASCREEN® assays use sandwich technology, capturing bacterial surface proteins in a microplate well and detecting them with a second enzyme-marked antibody. This immunological detection requires suitable pre-enrichment procedures based on the pathogen type.
Bacterial toxin detection can be performed directly from food samples (RIDASCREEN® SET Total and RIDASCREEN® SET A, B, C, D, E) or used for indirect detection of toxin-producing bacteria following pre-enrichment.
Pathogenic bacteria and viruses can be identified with molecular biological systems, such as the SureFast® PATHOGEN real-time PCR kits. This modular system includes optimized DNA preparation via spin filter columns and TaqMan hydrolysis probe technology linked with FAM dyes. It is compatible with all common real-time PCR thermocyclers. All PLUS kits integrate internal amplification control, with the amplification control dye choice depending on the cycler type used.
Optimizing your microbiological testing procedures ensures food safety and compliance with regulatory standards, protecting consumers and reducing the risk of contamination in the food production process.
| RIDASCREEN® | SureFast® | Compact Dry |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Dry LM |
Usage of Compact Dry LM is a simple and safe test procedure for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in pre-enriched samples of foods. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter petri dish containing a detection specific nutrient pad. … Read more |
100 nutrient plates | HS9901 |
| Compact Dry PA |
Compact Dry PA is a simple and safe test procedure for the determination and quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa counts in foods, cosmetics, water samples or pharmaceutical materials. The ready-to-use plates consist of a special 50 mm diameter … Read more |
100 nutrient plates | HS9491 |
| Compact Dry YMR |
Usage of Compact Dry YMR (rapid) is a simple, safe and fast 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 … Read more |
100 nutrient plates | HS9801 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9541 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9461 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9721 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9621 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8801 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8821 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8771 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9401 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8811 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS9431 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8781 |
| 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 |
100 nutrient plates | HS8791 |
