Streamlined Salmonella testing drives efficiencies

A quick and easy culture-based method for the enrichment, detection, and confirmation of Salmonella species has been validated for the broadest range of food, animal feed, and environmental samples, and is ready to slot into standard laboratory workflows.

Extension of the validation scope for the Thermo Scientific Salmonella Precis Method according to ISO 16140-2 brings the opportunity for increased efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple broths, plates, supplementation, and incubation temperatures. Historically, alternative, more rapid, Salmonella testing methods have required specialized enrichment broths and supplements, and incubation temperatures have differed from those for other forms of bacterial screening. This, combined with the difficulties of testing larger samples of substances like chocolate, infant formula, and animal feed, have presented laboratories with something of an efficiency challenge.

By incorporating Buffered Peptone Water as the enrichment medium for the Salmonella Precis Method laboratories can reduce handling and increase workflow efficiency. The same sample preparation can now be used for other procedures such as quality indicator enumeration and detection of other bacterial targets that also use BPW for enrichment.

Crucially, the method has been validated for the broadest range of food matrices, including challenging samples such as cocoa and chocolate (up to 375 g), infant formula (with and without probiotics), infant cereals, and related ingredients (up to 375 g), and animal feed (up to 150 g).

Confirmation is available in just two minutes using the Thermo Scientific Salmonella Latex Test, meaning laboratories can act quickly and decisively on behalf of their clients.

The Salmonella Precis Method:

·    Uses a single, overnight enrichment step for fast time to result

·        Uses a BPW enrichment enabling quality indicators enumeration from the same broth reducing costs

·        Uses liquid supplementation for higher throughput at a lower cost

·        Uses fewer consumables, compared to traditional methods

·       Is effective at between 34°C and 38°C, reducing the need for alternative-temperature incubators

·        Uses widely available broths and supplements for increased confidence in supply

Bernd Hofmann, vice president, Thermo Fisher, said: “Our customers work in a pressured environment, handling many different types of samples, with varying timelines and demands. We want to help them do all they can to streamline processes, become more efficient, and reduce the likelihood of costly errors.

“The extended validation scope for the Salmonella Precis Method means laboratories can run multiple Salmonella testing methods, including PCR, using the same enrichment procedure. When compared to the ISO reference method it cuts the number of broths needed from three to one, the number of plates from two to one, and uses a single, widely available culture-medium supplement. It frees up incubator space, is validated for a broad range of foods together with large sample sizes for challenging food matrices, and uses a quick, reliable confirmatory step. It slots seamlessly into standard working practices to provide greater flexibility and increased efficiency.”

To find out more about the Thermo Scientific Precis Method and other workflows for detection Salmonella in foods and other sample types visit www.thermofisher.com/salmonella-testing-food