Thermo gets AOAC backing for STEC detection workflow
The real-time PCR workflow is for rapid and simultaneous detection of E. coli O157:H7 and the Big Six (serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145) Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in 375g raw ground beef and beef trim samples.
The Applied Biosystems RapidFinder STEC Detection Workflow is validated for the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast System, it is a two-stage real-time PCR method.
The workflow, co-developed with USDA-ARS, showed equivalent performance to the USDA-MLG reference method in AOAC-RI validation studies.
It enables same-day clearance of STEC-negative samples in 12 hours and confirmation of presumptive positives with one additional 40 minute PCR test. It involves a single enrichment step in non-proprietary enrichment broth.
Tim Carmack, group product director food safety, microbiology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said unnecessary product diversions and production shutdowns can be avoided, and risk to brand and reputation is minimized.
“While reference methods are accurate and sensitive, they take a minimum of two days to clear negative samples, and require a number of handling steps.
“Where alternative methods often require complex sample preparation steps or specialized enrichment media to achieve faster time to results, the RapidFinder STEC Detection Workflow screening test results are available in as few as 12 hours with a simplified workflow.”
DCM launch
Meanwhile, Thermo Scientific has unveiled a dehydrated culture media (DCM) format.
The Pre-Weigh Dehydrated Culture Media are supplied in ‘rip and tip’ pouches, available in 1L and 8L sizes to fit microbiology laboratories’ culture media batch sizes.
A choice of media offers reduced hands-on time and increased accuracy to help maximize laboratory productivity, said the firm.
Simon Walker, senior director, product management and marketing, microbiology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “Our in-house trials have demonstrated that using the new pre-weigh format can deliver a saving of over two hours every week when preparing 45L of media each day.”
