Easy Microbial Mold and Yeast Removal

If you’ve ever seen dairy or flour-based food sitting on a counter too long, you’ve likely noticed changes that occur within the edible source. Mold and yeast are well known toxins that change and destroy the original quality of consumables. There are some molds that cause human illness, but most are relatively harmless to healthy people. Both yeast and mold can deteriorate any food substance they infiltrate, and even cause cramping until digestion has occurred.

Mold, specifically, is also airborne. The most common reaction to airborne contaminants is diarrhea; but mold and yeast rarely cause those issues in humans unless high toxic levels are inhaled or consumed on a regular basis. So then, why is it so important to perform microbiological tests for mold and yeast?

Like any other bacteria, yeast and mold spores multiply easily when they’re not contained. A few spores can lead to a sour smell or negatively affect the taste. However, if left to spread, that same food source can be unrecognizable within hours as the mold and yeast spores feed and completely consume the item. Fuzzy bread is a prime example of this. Good food is expensive and essential to warding off countless diseases and health issues. Yeast aids in food spoilage, while both mold and yeast are responsible for common allergies and lowered immune systems.

While a healthy human can easily fight the bacteria in their system, a young child or pregnant woman may not be so fortunate. Such contaminants can lead to serious health concerns in those cases. Over 40 known strains of mold are found regularly in common food sources. But it affects more than just food. Mold and yeast can also develop in cosmetics and fragrances. If bacteria can cause lifelong allergies inside the body, do you really want the stuff on your skin?

With appropriate testing, automated microbiology is called in, thereby containing the culprits before they can spread further. With the proper microbiology instruments, indicator testing can easily identify the amounts and types of fungi, bacteria, and toxins in the supplied samples. Dust or powder, swabs, and even bulk items can be collected, studied, and corrected. Quite often spores are trapped via transparent tape or air samples are collected in petri dishes. Once incubated to the proper temperature and time limit, the source of the toxins are counted and identified.

There are several options for testing, but a tried and true common test involves direct plate counting, also known as plate count methodology. Depending on the preferred testing procedure of the lab, either the direct plate or the pour plate method, the sample may be diluted with different amounts of agar solution. Spreading the diluted sample onto a sterile petri dish, chemists can count the live and dead cells within the sample. Dilution allows easier counting as it immobilizes cell regrowth during the identification phase.

Typical microbiological testing of mold and yeast attracting products can take anywhere from 2-7 days, depending on whether the samples are sent directly from the factory, testing is performed after being shipped from the supplier, or processed via common methods or newer rapid testing procedures. Obviously, the sooner the testing is performed, the better the product will be; and henceforth, the longer it will last in your refrigerator, pantry, or cupboard. Saving money and improving your health can go hand in hand by insisting your products undergo proper testing which supplies full microbiological quality assurance.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing for yeast and mold.

Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
http://www.mybiolumix.com/
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