With the new foodproof® Yeast and Mold Quantification LyoKit, BIOTECON Diagnostics can now offer a unique test for the rapid detection and quantification of all kinds of yeast and molds in dairy products. This test enables the customer to quantify yeast and molds in only 5 hours.

The PCR results have been compared with the more time-consuming official microbiological reference methods, with a very high degree of correlation.

The test, which is based on real-time PCR technology is very easy and convenient. It has been developed together with a DNA extraction kit including a protocol specifically adapted to yeasts and molds, the foodproof® StarPrep Two Kit. Another innovative product by BIOTECON Diagnostics is the Reagent D, which excludes the DNA of dead yeast and molds cells from the PCR amplification process. This means, that only living organisms will be detected with the test.

The new system has been successfully validated with a huge number of dairy products, including different types of cheeses, milk and milk powder, yoghurts, curd, pudding, fermented milk products, whey and many others. All kind of dairy finished products and raw materials can be tested.

To show the inclusivity of the new foodproof® test, more than 300 different yeast and molds strains, including representatives of the whole taxonomic tree have been tested. Moreover 60 non-yeast and molds strains (bacteria etc.) have been included for the exclusivity testing. Altogether it has been shown that the method has excellent specificity.

As for sensitivity, an absolute quantification of yeast and molds is possible down to 10 – 100 cfu/ g. Thereby the requirement of official regulations for yeast and mold testing is achieved. The reason for the good quantification results is not only due to the high sensitivity of the real-time PCR technology itself but also the superior DNA extraction efficiency of the foodproof® StarPrep Two Kit.

"The extension of our product portfolio by the foodproof® Yeast & Mold Quantification LyoKit is a consequent continuation of our strategy to cover the food safety sector as completely as possible with molecular detection methods" declares Dr. Kornelia Berghof-Jäger, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIOTECON Diagnostics.

"For all the users of our foodproof® kits coming from the dairy industry and for many new customers, this new product  provides the possibility to access new analytical fields with the existing lab equipment without further investment or time", emphasizes Mr. Alois Schneiderbauer, Chief Business Officer (CBO) of BIOTECON Diagnostics.

For further information please visit BIOTECON Diagnostics