Bacterial toxins

Detect contamination with bacterial toxins in food

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Analytes

Bacterial toxins in food safety

Importance of controlling bacterial toxins

Certain bacteria produce toxins that can cause severe food poisoning when ingested. Managing and monitoring these bacterial toxins is crucial for food safety.

Common bacteria producing toxins

Staphylococcus enterotoxins (SET)

Species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hyicus, and Staphylococcus intermedius produce one or more heat-stable proteins that act as enterotoxins (SET). These toxins are major causes of food poisoning, alongside Salmonella and Campylobacter. A population of 5 x 10⁵ cells of enterotoxin-producing S. aureus strains per gram of food is typically required to cause intoxication. However, other studies indicate that only 100 – 200 ng of Staphylococcus enterotoxins can trigger symptoms.

SET intoxications are frequently linked to a variety of foods, including pasta, meat products, ham, pies, chicken meat products, fish and fish products, milk and dairy products, ice cream, egg products, salads, pastries, and cake fillings. The enterotoxins from serological groups A, B, C, D, and E are particularly significant.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)

Another significant toxin-producing bacterium is enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). These bacteria produce toxic substances known as verotoxin or shiga toxin, and are therefore also referred to as verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) or shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Infections with STEC/VTEC are among the most common food-related bacterial diseases and can be fatal. Common sources of contamination include raw meat and unpasteurized dairy products.

Key benefits of monitoring bacterial toxins

  • Early detection: Identifying the presence of bacterial toxins quickly to prevent foodborne illnesses.
  • Hygiene control: Ensuring proper hygiene practices to reduce contamination risks.
  • Consumer safety: Protecting public health by preventing severe food poisoning outbreaks.
  • Regulatory compliance: Meeting food safety standards and regulations.

Conclusion

Monitoring bacterial toxins in food is essential to ensure consumer safety and prevent foodborne illnesses. Utilizing effective testing and control measures helps identify and mitigate the risks associated with toxin-producing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Implementing these measures is crucial for maintaining high food safety standards and protecting public health.

Product portfolio

ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
RIDASCREEN® SET Total (96 tests)

RIDASCREEN® SET Total is a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for the combined detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins A, B, C, D and E in fluid and solid foods as well as in bacterial cultures.

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Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 breakable wells each),
96 determinations.
R4105
RIDASCREEN® SET A,B,C,D,E

RIDASCREEN® SET A,B,C,D,E is a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for the identification of Staphylococcus enterotoxins A, B, C, D and E in fluid and solid foods as well as in bacterial cultures. Based on its sensitivity the RIDASCREEN® SET A,B,C,D,E test …

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Microtiter plate with 96 wells (12 strips with 8 wells each),
one strip is necessary for analysis of one sample,
12 tests in total.
R4101
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ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
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 …

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HS9621: 100 nutrient plates,
HS9622: 40 nutrient plates,
four plates are packed in one aluminum bag.
HS9621 / HS9622
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 …

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HS8781: 100 nutrient plates,
HS8782: 40 nutrient plates (HS8782),
four plates are packed in one aluminum bag.
HS8781 / HS8782
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ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
SureFast® Fecal Screen 4plex

The SureFast® Fecal Screen 4plex is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific DNA sequences of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococci, Escherichia coli in water.

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100 reactions F5504
SureFast® STEC 4plex ONE

The SureFast® STEC 4plex ONE can be applied for the fast and simple isolation, detection and differentiation of specific DNA sequences of the Escherichia coli virulence factors stx1 (subtype a-d), stx2 (subtype a-g), eae and the Escherichia coli …

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100 reactions F5265
SureFast® MRSA 4plex

The SureFast® MRSA 4plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The test detects the SCCmec/orfX junction, the mecA/mecC-gene and a specific DNA sequence of …

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100 reactions F7117
SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype II 4plex

The SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype II 4plex is a multiplex 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 …

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100 reactions F5168
SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype I 4plex

The SureFast® Escherichia coli Serotype I 4plex is a multiplex real-time PCR kit for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specfifc wzx gene DNA sequences of Escherichia coli O121, O26 and O103.

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100 reactions F5167
SureFast® Foodborne Pathogens 4plex

The SureFast® Foodborne Pathogens 4plex is a multiplex 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 …

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100 reactions F5175
SureFast®STEC Screening PLUS

The SureFast® STEC Screening PLUS is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of DNA sequences of the virulence factors stx1 (subtype a-d) and stx2 (subtype a-g) of Escherichia coli (STEC). Each reaction contains an internal …

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100 reactions F5105
SureFast® Escherichia coli PLUS

The test detects Escherichia coli DNA. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC).  

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100 reactions F5157
SureFast® EHEC/EPEC 4plex

SureFast® EHEC/EPEC 4plex is a multiplex 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 …

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100 reactions F5128
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).

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100 reactions F5116
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