Through rapid automated microbiology
systems, various industries can increase throughput and plant efficiency in the
quality assurance of their products, as per the new requirements of the FDA.
Each system comprises instruments that can test multiple, individual assay
vials; software for the rapid and real-time transfer of results; and disposable
vials for use in required microbiological assays. 10 vials are described
below:
1.
Total Aerobic Count (TAC)
Total Aerobic Count
vial’s sensor is based on the principle that all microorganisms produce carbon
dioxide as a metabolite. The vial contains a solid but transparent sensor at
the bottom. The metabolism of bacteria causes a release of CO2 into the sensor,
where it reacts with reagents in the sensor to indicate their presence. The
sensor is only permeable to gases, but not microorganisms, particulate matter,
or liquids.
2.
Coliforms
This is a membrane vial, in that it
uses a membrane filter to separate the reading or detections zone from the
incubation zone, where the sample being checked for microorganisms is
contained. The presence of coliform
bacteria causes lactose to ferment in highly selective media, resulting in a pH
shift that causes the color to change for easy detection.
3.
Enterobacteriaceae
The vial is in the form of a membrane
filter that separates the incubation zone from the detection zone. The presence
of Enterobacteriaceae
organisms cause glucose to ferment in highly selective media, casing a change
in pH that can be easily monitored.
4.
Yeast & Mold Count
The yeast and mold count
vial’s sensor contains a solid but transparent sensor at the bottom, and a
selective medium from the top. Whenever CO2 diffuses into the sensor, it
interacts with the indicator reagent, causing it to change its optical
properties.
5.
Gram Negative Bacteria
The gram negative bacteria
membrane vial examines the utilization of a distinct fluorescent dye, which is
placed in a selective media that prevents gram-positive bacteria from growing.
6.
Lactic Acid Bacteria
The membrane filter is sandwiched
between the sample containing area and the detection or reading area, where it
monitors a change in color caused by a change in pH as Lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) causes Dextrose to ferment in a selective medium with fortified
MRS.
7.
Probiotics
The disposable probiotic vial contains a
solid but transparent sensor at the bottom of a liquid medium with a modified
MRS containing the sample and presumed microorganisms. In the event of probiotic
bacteria metabolism in the medium, the CO2 generated diffuses into the sensor
below, and interacts with an indicator reagent causing it to change its optical
properties for easy detection.
8.
E. Coli
For the E. coli vials, the incubation
zone, which contains the sample, media and microorganism, is separated from the
measuring zone in the bottom using a membrane filter. It takes about 20 hours
for the detector in the measuring zone to identify any
4-methylumbelliferyl-B-D-glucuronide (MUG) microbial cleavage, using the
fluorescence sensor.
9.
Salmonella
The Salmonella vial’s sensor is
located at the bottom of the incubation zone (containing a liquid medium and
sample with presumed microorganism). The metabolism of Salmonella in this zone
causes CO2 to be generated. The CO2 diffuses into the sensor where it mixes
with the indicator reagent, causing it to produce optical properties signifying
the presence of microorganisms.
10.
Staphylococcus
The vial is contained below the
membrane filter, which separates it from the selective and differential growth
medium that has mannitol and Phenol Red, a pH indicator. Growth of staphylococcus produces a
color shift from red to yellow.
With the exception of Yeast and Mold
vials, which produced results in about 48 hours, the other vials used in rapid
automated microbiology produce test results within a day. Contact Biolumix for more
information about rapid
microbiology testing.
Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
http://www.mybiolumix.com/
https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
http://www.mybiolumix.com/
https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/
