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

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

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.

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

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.

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

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.
TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800	The TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800 (Taiwan Advanced Nanotech) is a fully automated operating instrument for nucleic acid purification and isolation using magnetic beads and rods. The instrument uses the TANBead patented Maelstrom Spin Mixing Technology to … Read more	Up to 48 samples	ZMAL48
SureFast® Mag PREP Food	The kit is intended to be used for isolation of animal and plant DNA from food and feed as well as bacterial DNA from bacterial culture enrichments with the TANBead® Maelstrom 4800. Standardization and harmonization of methods Reduction of errors … Read more	96 preparations	F1060

Food allergens

Reliable analytical solutions for your allergen management

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800	The TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800 (Taiwan Advanced Nanotech) is a fully automated operating instrument for nucleic acid purification and isolation using magnetic beads and rods. The instrument uses the TANBead patented Maelstrom Spin Mixing Technology to … Read more	Up to 48 samples	ZMAL48
SureFast® Mag PREP Food	The kit is intended to be used for isolation of animal and plant DNA from food and feed as well as bacterial DNA from bacterial culture enrichments with the TANBead® Maelstrom 4800. Standardization and harmonization of methods Reduction of errors … Read more	96 preparations	F1060

Genetically modified organisms

Innovative solutions for the detection of GMO in food

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800	The TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800 (Taiwan Advanced Nanotech) is a fully automated operating instrument for nucleic acid purification and isolation using magnetic beads and rods. The instrument uses the TANBead patented Maelstrom Spin Mixing Technology to … Read more	Up to 48 samples	ZMAL48
SureFast® Mag PREP Food	The kit is intended to be used for isolation of animal and plant DNA from food and feed as well as bacterial DNA from bacterial culture enrichments with the TANBead® Maelstrom 4800. Standardization and harmonization of methods Reduction of errors … Read more	96 preparations	F1060

Microbiology

Test kits for the detection of microbiological contamination

Product	Description	No. of tests/amount	Art. No.
QuickGEN PCR Kit Oenococcus oeni -low-	Qualitative detection of Oenococcus oeni in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q352
SureFast® Enterobacteriaceae 4plex	The SureFast® Enterobacteriaceae 4plex is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific DNA sequences of Enterobacteriaceae, Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella spp.. Read more	100 reactions	F5180
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. Read more	100 reactions	F5504
QuickGEN PCR Kit Yeast universal -low-	Qualitative detection of yeast contaminations in beverages. For exapmple: Saccharomyces spp. Dekkera spp. Zygosaccharomyces spp. Rhodotorula spp. Torulaspora spp. Kluyveromyces spp. Debaromyces spp. Candida spp. Hanseniaspora spp. Pichia spp Read more	48 reactions: 48 x Dye Strips (freeze-dried, incl. IC-DNA)	Q982
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN P1 and Dekkera spp. Screening low MG	Qualitative detection of bacterial and Dekkera spp. contaminations in filtrated beer, beer mixes and yeast containing samples. Read more	48 reactions	Q094
SureFast® Listeria 3plex ONE	The SureFast® Listeria 3plex ONE can be applied for the fast and simple isolation and differentiation of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in different types of food. The method consists of the following three steps: 1) Cultural enrichment 2) … Read more	100 reactions	F5217
QuickGEN PCR Kit Fusarium spp.	Detection of Fusarium spp. in beverages, cereals etc. by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q961
QuickGEN Pentaplex PCR Kit – Beer spoilage bacteria and yeast screening	Qualitative detection of bacterial, S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus and Dekkera spp. contaminations in filtered beer, beer mixes and yeast containing samples. Read more	48 reactions	Q061
SureFast® Campylobacter 4plex	The SureFast® Campylobacter 4plex is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific DNA sequences of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter lari and Campylobacter coli. Read more	100 reactions	F5170
SureFast® Mag PREP Pathogens	The kit is intended to be used for the isolation of DNA and RNA viruses nucleic acids from food and feed (e.g. wash up fluids from fruits, salads etc.), filters from water samples and swabs (e.g. from work surfaces etc.) as well as bacterial DNA from … Read more	96 preparations	F1062
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 … Read more	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 … Read more	100 reactions	F7117
TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800	The TANBead Maelstrom™ 4800 (Taiwan Advanced Nanotech) is a fully automated operating instrument for nucleic acid purification and isolation using magnetic beads and rods. The instrument uses the TANBead patented Maelstrom Spin Mixing Technology to … Read more	Up to 48 samples	ZMAL48
SureFast® Mag PREP Food	The kit is intended to be used for isolation of animal and plant DNA from food and feed as well as bacterial DNA from bacterial culture enrichments with the TANBead® Maelstrom 4800. Standardization and harmonization of methods Reduction of errors … Read more	96 preparations	F1060
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN PCR Kit Alicyclobacillus Differentiation high	Qualitative detection and differentiation of Alicyclobacillus spp., Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris . Read more	48 reactions	Q721
SureFast® Yersinia 3plex	The SureFast® Yersinia 3plex is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific ail gene DNA sequences of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica. Read more	100 reactions	F5132
GEN-IAL® Dekkera bruxellensis Standard DNA	Quantification of Dekkera bruxellensis in beverages (e.g. wine and grape must) by real-time PCR. Read more	1 x Standard 1 200000 cfus / 2.5 μL DNA (D. bruxellensis, freeze-dried)	Q360
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN PCR Kit S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus white	Detection of S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus in beverages. Read more	48 reactions	Q183
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii white	Detection of Zygosaccharomyces bailii in wine and grape must by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q563
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii low	Detection of Zygosaccharomyces bailii in wine and grape must by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions (tubes incl. Lyticase and IC-DNA)	Q562
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Dekkera spp.	Detection of Dekkera spp. in beverages (e.g. beer, wine, grape must) by real-time PCR. The following species are detected: D. bruxellensis, D. anomala, D. custersiana, D. naardenensis and D. nanus. Read more	50 reactions	Q555
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Dekkera spp. white	Detection of Dekkera spp. in wine and grape must by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q553
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Dekkera spp. low	Detection of Dekkera spp. in beverages (e.g. beer, wine, grape must) by real-time PCR. The following species are detected: D. bruxellensis, D. anomala, D. custersiana, D. naardenensis and D. nanus Read more	48 reactions	Q552
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast Dekkera spp. high	Detection of Dekkera spp. in wine and grape must by real-time PCR. Read more	48 reactions	Q551
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast differentiation white	Differentiation of 12 beer spoilage yeasts in beer and mixed beer drinks: Saccharomyces exiguus Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus Saccharomyces bayanus / pastorianus Saccharomycodes ludwigii Torulaspora delbrückii Klyveromyces marxianus … Read more	96 reactions for 12 samples	Q543
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Yeast differentiation low	Differentiation of 12 beer spoilage yeasts in beer and mixed beer drinks: Saccharomyces exiguus Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus Saccharomyces bayanus / pastorianus Saccharomycodes ludwigii Torulaspora delbrückii Klyveromyces marxianus … Read more	96 reactions for 12 samples (tubes contain lyticase).	Q542
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wild yeast 2 low	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	48 reactions	Q532
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wild yeast 1	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	50 reactions	Q525
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Dekkera bruxellensis quantitative FAM/HEX	Qualitative and quantitative detection of Dekkera bruxellensis in wine and grape must. Read more	50 reactions	Q395
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Dekkera bruxellensis quantitative FAM/ROX	Qualitative and quantitative detection of Dekkera bruxellensis in wine and grape must. Read more	50 reactions	Q385
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Dekkera bruxellensis quantitative white	Qualitative and quantitative detection of Dekkera bruxellensis in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q373
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Dekkera bruxellensis quantitative low	Qualitative and quantitative detection of Dekkera bruxellensis in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions (freeze-dried, tubes incl. Lytikase and IC-DNA).	Q372
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening without yeast low MG	Qualitative detection of Lactobacilli, Pediococci, Oenococcus oeni and acetic acid bacteria in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q334
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening without yeast white	Qualitative detection of Lactobacilli, Pediococci, Oenococcus oeni and acetic acid bacteria in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q333
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening without yeast low	Qualitative detection of Lactobacilli, Pediococci, Oenococcus oeni and acetic acid bacteria in wine and grape must. Read more	48 reactions	Q332
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening low MG	Qualitative detection and differentiation of bacterial and yeast contaminations in wine and grape must: Lactobacillus/ Pediococcus/Oenococcus oeni Acetic acid bacteria Yeast Inhibition control Read more	48 reactions	Q324
GEN-IAL® QuickGEN Wine Screening white	Qualitative detection and differentiation of bacterial and yeast contaminations in wine and grape must: Lactobacillus/ Pediococcus/Oenococcus oeni Acetic acid bacteria Yeast Inhibition control 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

Real-time PCR

Molecular diagnostics in food analysis

Technologies