RAPID MICROBIOLOGY TESTING

Rapid Microbiology

In microbiology for food industries and pharmaceutical factories it often needed to find if a specific pathogen is in a given sample of product. Traditionally a culture media is used whereby nutrients is supplied to the microbes in a petri dish together with chemicals to suppress the non-target organism. This has been deemed the gold standard. However, the preparation of these agar plates is tedious and the time to results is often long. Therefore, for fast and accurate confirmation of the presence of these pathogens, Arasains Indonesia supplies various rapid microbiology detection based on several methods, such as immunochromatographic lateral flow test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PCR. Besides those methods, we also provide advanced counting methods allowing simple and faster enumeration for quality indicators and detection for pathogens.

SimPlate®

Merck Biocontrol Indonesia supplies the SimPlate®, Binary Detection Technology for the detection of key groups of bacteria. The proprietary media provides nutrient to the target bacteria in microwells and allow better recoveries than conventional media. Defined substrates are incorporated into the media to detect enzymatic and redox reactions that are related to the target organisms to produce a color or fluorescent signal in the media thus providing easy to read results and easy accurate counting. Because SimPlate® depend on these reactions rather than conventional growth of colonies, the results are available in days faster than conventional methods. Whilst other testing methods require duplicate plating and the standard MPN method requires multiple dilutions up to nine tubes, SimPlate® has been validated to produce equivalent results with just one plate. 


Benefits:

  • Fast time to results allowing to address problem areas quickly
  • Easy to interpret eliminates the variability between different analysts
  • Less interference eliminating the effects of swarming microorganism, enhance accuracy
  • Works with challenging food matrices
  • Large counting range, up to 738 CFU allowing fewer dilutions
  • Major tests have validation, AOAC OMA or PTM
  • Single plate results (no need duplication)
  • Storage: 2 – 30oC


Parameters:

Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliform and E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacter.

Lateral Flow Technology - RapidChek®

Arasains supplies RapidChek® from Romer Labs Indonesia. The RapidChek® product lines were developed to deliver the simplicity, speed and high accuracy necessary in everyday pathogen testing without the need for expensive equipment or extensive training. The RapidChek® product family utilizes highly selective enrichment media coupled to advanced and highly specific lateral flow immunochemical detection of food pathogens such in various foodstuffs and environmental applications. 


Benefits:

  • Fast time to results and simple procedure
  • Reliable results
  • Easy resource management
  • Approved by AOAC OMA and RI


Parameters:

Salmonella, Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli 0157 and Campylobacter.

Lateral Flow Technology - VIP® Gold

VIP® Gold by Merck Biocontrol Indonesia based on lateral flow immunoassay method is applied to detect pathogens in food and environmental samples. When added to the lateral flow device, samples are combined with gold colloid particles coated with capture antibodies specific to the target pathogen. The solution then drawn across a nitrocellulose membrane via capillary action. If the target antigen is present, it is captured and bond to colored particles making a visual evaluation. Each VIP gold lateral flow device is a self-contained device and thus requires only the addition of sample to a well making work flow extremely convenient.


Benefits:

  • Advanced Technology
  • Fast presumptive screening and easy detection after enrichment steps
  • Improved lab efficiency by an innovative multi-test format with break-away devices 
  • No skills and no automation required.
  • AOAC OMA approval


Parameters:

Salmonella, Listeria spp. and E. coli 0157.

Detection of Pathogen in Microtiter Plate - TRANSIA™PLATE

Merck Biocontrol Indonesia supplies TRANSIA™PLATE for the rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria. The microtiter plates use enzyme linked immunoassay sandwich technology for identification. The plates are coated with highly specific antibodies and bind to specific antigens on the target organism. A detection mechanism of another antibody linked with a color producing conjugate enzyme makes the final reading either by eye or read with a reader. The Gemini reader provides walk away automation for the Elisa development and reading process making high volume testing a breeze. The tests have validations such as AOAC and AFNOR.


Benefits:

  • Accurate and reliable
  • High throughput efficiency – 96 well microtiter plate format 
  • Increase Productivity with Automation


Parameters:

Salmonella, Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli 0157:H7.

Detection Microbiology using PCR Technology - SureFast® Microbiology

R-Biopharm Indonesia developed microbiology detection based on DNA detection using real-time PCR, SureFast® Microbiology. This technology is used for screening and species identification. The qualitative detection. SureFast® Microbiology allowing microbiology testing provides high sensitivity, rapidness, good repeatability and reliability of results that is important for immediate and long-term decisions. Several brands of real-time PCR were already validated. 


Benefits:

  • Reliable result with internal control for each detection
  • Flexible – open platform 
  • Effective DNA/RNA extraction 
  • Increased efficiency - multiplex real time kits


Parameters:

Salmonella, Listeria spp. Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter, Bacillus cereus, E. coli, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Vibrio Yersinia.

Detection Microbiology using PCR Technology - Assurance® GDS

Assurance® GDS (Genetic Detection System) provides the fastest detection technology combined with highest specificity by using molecular detection combined with food microbiology. Merck Biocontrol Indonesia uses multi layers of specificity including immunomagnetic separation, highly specific primers and a patented probe system for superior detection. This ensures highly accurate results. The tests have validations such as AOAC, Health Canada, AFNOR/MICROVAL.


Features and Benefits:

  • PickPen IMS (immunomagnetic separation) preparation

Improves accuracy by capturing and concentrating target pathogens instead of using dilution (1st level of specificity). 

  • Superior proprietary reagents

Use of both primers and probes to add 2 levels of additional specificity. The internal control in every reaction tube promotes reliable results. Then, the ready to use PCR reagents in pellet form inside each reaction tube enhance the consistency and stability.

  • Multiplexing DNA amplification

Multiplexing platform allowing the simultaneous detection of multiple targets within each amplification tube. 

  • Rotary Formats Thermal Cycler

Faster cycling with evenly heat transfer produce consistent and reproducibility results.

 

Parameters:

Salmonella, Listeria spp. Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter, E. coli 0157:H7 and STEC.

MC-Media Pad®

Merck Indonesia supplies MC- Media Pad® for convenient and rapid routine testing of microbial contaminations. The pads are coated with growth medium and chromogenic substrates for specific detection allowing faster results and improved readout. When the sample is applied, the liquid spreads evenly on the pad by capillary action. No additional working steps, improving the workflow, reducing the risk of contamination. The transparent cover film can be easily opened and closed with one hand, and the color coding ensures that you can always pick the right one at a glance.


Benefits:

  • Ready to use
  • Easy to use and accurate
  • Save space in your fridge and incubator
  • Go green & gain: reduce your environmental impact
  • Improve your inventory management with shelf life of up to 15 months
  • Comply with regulations, AOAC approval
  • Can be used for product analysis, direct stamping, air sampling and membrane filtration.

 

Parameters:

Aerobic count, yeast and molds, coliform, coliform and E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Compact Dry

Arasains supplies Compact Dry from R-Biopharm Indonesia. Compact Dry plates contain a dry gelling agent, modified standard media and chromogenic substances, ease up identification and enumeration. The plates can be used to test raw materials as well as finished products like various foods, beverages, cosmetics, and water. It is also suitable for hygiene monitoring of surfaces using a wet swab system.


Benefits: 

  • Ready to use
  • No change in handling
  • No additional tools and equipment
  • Reliable results, easy to read and count
  • Several official validated parameters
  • Suitable for food samples, liquids and surface swabs
  • Easy to store at room temperature


Parameters:

Total count, yeast and molds, Enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, coliform, E. coli and coliform, Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and heterotrophic water bacteria.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why does every food manufacturer monitor total plate count?

    This is the simplest test for the safety of your food from a microbiological stand point. It indicates the hygienic conditions the food is produced in and whether your customers will have a problem eating it. It is an early warning detection to a possible problem.

  • Is counting important for total aerobic bacteria?

    Accurate counting is very important because most food is not sterile and has a certain number of bacteria in it. Counting will give you the estimate of the shelf life of the product. Most food produced if there is any quality control from a microbiological standpoint, will release the food by a limit on the total aerobic bacteria. Over estimating as well as under estimating is not desirable.

  • Why is it that everyone is testing for yeast and molds?

    This is because yeast and molds are everywhere and in the air. They contaminate every product and does not differentiate the substrate. Moldy products can easily be seen and gives a bad reputation for your products. Moreover they cause a stale taste and produces mycotoxin.

  • Is it possible to have a rapid method to differentiate yeast from molds?

    Biocontrol simplate cannot differentiate between yeast and molds. This is because there is so many species. Differentiation is done by means of morphology. However the enumeration of these is difficult as some grow faster than others.

  • Is counting necessary for Enterobacteriaceae?

    Most companies has a zero tolerance for Enterobacteriaceae but enumeration will give you an idea of the severity of the problem. Remember than many of these bacteria are harmless.

  • Is it not better to test for E. coli and coliforms than to test for Enterobacteriaceae?

    Enterobacteriaceae is a wide net and this gives you better safety for indicator organism. Moreover it is necessary test for European countries.

  • Conventional media test require several test but Simplate is a single test and can enumerate to log 3. What is the main advantage of using Simplate over conventional culture media?

    Conventional media test require several test but Simplate is a single test and can enumerate to log 3.

  • What is the disadvantage of using thin spread of agar like agar films sold commercially?

    The ISO standard has specifies that the minimum thickness of agar in a petri dish is 4.5 mm. They have figured that is the minimum needed to give nutrients to bacteria. Some aerobic bacteria grows rapidly and they consume lots of nutrients. When this happen all bacteria dies and the result is no count. This is a serious error that will damage your company as it is a false negative.

  • Why is that Simplate can detect yeast and molds faster than culture media?

    This is because Simplate detects the presence of yeast and molds by way of enzyme detection. Before they grow to colonies that is detectable by the eye, they produce enzymes for respiration growth.

  • Why is it important to test for Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

    Psuedomonas  aeruginosa is a common bacterium that is found everywhere on equipment for the production of pharmaceuticals. It can infect humans and cause inflammation of organs like eyes, kidneys and urinary tract. As such the USP and EP has required that these pathogens are absent in pharmaceutical products.

  • Should the testing be for Pseudomonas spp. or only for P. aeruginosa?

    The regulations require testing for only Pseudomonas  aeruginosa but   for  safety reasons testing should be carried out for pseudomonas spp as an indicator organism.

  • Is Pseudomonas aeruginosa excluded only in the USP regulations?

    It is excluded from pharmaceutical products from both the USP and EP.

  • Who should be most aware of the problem of Staphylococcus?

    Everybody should be testing for this organism. But milk production is very special because mastitis of the cow teats are very common. Powdered products like cocoa, tea should also be aware.

  • Why is Staphylococcus troublesome in food production?

    This is problematic because it is everywhere and infection can be from people to food. Food after the heat kill step are especially susceptible to this problem. Infection before the heat kill step is also dangerous as its toxins produced cannot be destroyed by heat.

  • Is Staphylococcus enterotoxin a major problem in food production?

     Yes infections of milk have in the past been one of the most prominent problem causing a major milk powder producing company to close down.

  • Which factories usually test for Listeria?

    Factories that produces food that are chilled or frozen usually test for Listeria eg: seafood processing factories, ice cream factory and frozen meat like sausages.

  • What is the advantage of using ELISA technology for Listeria?

    Identification of the bacteria is easier and more specific. There is no need to look for haemolysis.

  • What is the disadvantages for using culture media to detec E. coli 0157:H7?

    The process is and involves multiple steps and as such increases the chances of making mistakes. Final identification also involves either latex agglutination or other methods of differentiation of the flagellar antigen.

  • Is E. coli 0157 a serious problem and should any attention be paid to it?

    Yes it is a dangerous bacteria that can cause rapid death in victims. It is very common in meat and it is mandatory for meat companies in USA to test for this organism.

  • Why not just test for E. coli and not 0157 as it is so difficult?

    Some methods of testing for e coli cannot detect 0157. E coli can only be used as an indicator organism and is too common to cause alarm.

  • Can the STEC E. coli be tested using culture media?

    No culture media does not differentiate the STEC E. coli. This is because the definition of STEC is first from the O antigens and then identification of the toxin producing genes, eae, STX 1 and STX 2.

  • What is the significance of testing TOP STEC E. coli?

    Previously food producers test only for 0157:H7 believing it to be the only cause of haemorrhage. After the outbreak in Europe it was discovered that there are 6 other non 0157 Ecoli that causes haemorrhage. Therefore it has become imperative in US to test all beef for TOP STEC E coli.

  • What is the advantage of using Assurance GDS?

    Assurance GDS is a PCR method which has 3 levels of differentiation- Selective enrichment, immunomagnetic separation and identification using gene segments.