Rapid Microbiological Testing: Importance of E. coli Testing

Escherichia coli, which is abbreviated as E. coli, refers to the rod-shaped bacterium that occur naturally in the lower intestines of endotherms, or warm blooded organisms, including human beings, as well as reptiles and fish. While most of these gram-negative organisms are harmless, some of the serotypes can result in serious food poisoning due to food contamination, which is a common reason for product recalls. There are five strains of E. coli that cause diseases. Some of these diseases include hemolytic uremia, copious bloody discharge, unique diarrhea, and Enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) class.

Quality Assurance: Microbial Testing of Cosmetics

The number of people using cosmetics continues to grow, and the quantities consumed keep increasing every year. As the production increases, the industry is faced with great concern regarding the microbial contamination of personal care and cosmetic products. The implications of microorganism contamination include massive product waste and financial losses for the manufacturer, not to mention consumer injury or infection. While there are very few cases of the latter happening, the occurrence of such episodes can drastically impact the reputation of a brand.

Nutraceutical Rapid Microbiology Detection Systems

Consumers want quality assurance and the FDA is backing them with their cGMP guidelines. Many manufacturing companies are choosing to build in-house programs or signing up with contract labs to beat their existing microbiology quality assurance practices. As a manufacturer, you should always be prepared to test your raw materials and products for unacceptable levels of certain microorganisms.

Preservative Efficacy Testing and Suitability Testing for Cosmetic and Toiletry Industries

The cosmetic and toiletry industries employ unique microbiology quality assurance systems that are specifically designed to detect the presence of microbes in cosmetic and personal care products, and deliver accurate and timely results. These microbiology systems perform a variety of typical assays including checking for unpleasant organisms, microbial content like molds and yeast, preservative efficacy testing, and suitability testing.

The Pharmaceutical Industry and Its Dependence on Microbiology

Put simply, microbiology entails the study of microorganisms that one can't see with the naked eye. These are from bacteria, fungi, protozoa and such similar organisms. There is an intricate association between microbes to specific diseases. This has kept scientists at the front on research concerning them for centuries. The role of microbiology on advances within the healthcare industry, and especially the pharmaceutical industry, has led to great discoveries ranging from medicines and vaccines to devices.

Microbiology Quality Assurance and Rapid Microbiological Methods

When it comes to microbiology quality assurance, this is the process whereby the quality of laboratory reports can be guaranteed. Quality control is the part of quality assurance that is mainly concerned with controlling errors when tests are being performed as well as in the verification of the test results. Materials, equipment and procedures have to be controlled adequately. Culture material has to undergo testing for sterility as well as performance. Every laboratory should have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Quality assurances should be incorporated at every stage of a microbiological procedure, which can be done by ensuring that the laboratory is well lit, dust free and air-conditioned. 

Understanding Microbiological Quality Control and Assurance Solutions

In the ever-changing pharmaceutical industry, competition is rife when it comes to the speedy development of products. Microbiological testing is essential to ensure safe products are made without any environmental hazards and at a reduced cost. This has led to an increased use of rapid detection kits that cut costs and time in detection of pathogens in any given sample.