BIOTECON Diagnostics has launched a multiplex real-time PCR test for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella and Cronobacter in food and environmental samples. The test is designed for accurate quality testing for many matrices - with a focus on dairy products - of food manufactures, ingredients suppliers, analytical and governmental laboratories.

Salmonella spp. and Cronobacter spp. belong to the Enterobacteriaceae, a large family of Gram-negative bacteria. Both genera are recognized as food-borne pathogens that cause serious human illness. Several outbreaks of Cronobacter and Salmonella infections among infants have been linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula or dried milk products.

Since November 2005, the Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 by the European Commission requires the investigation of powdered infant formula for the pathogenic genera Cronobacter and Salmonella. Traditional microbiological detection methods for Salmonella and Cronobacter including enrichment, isolation on agar-plates and confirmatory tests usually need several days. Real-time PCR is a well-established alternative method to shorten the time from sample to result for the detection of both microorganisms.

Our new multiplex real-time PCR test for the detection of Salmonella and Cronobacter significantly reduces the costs and testing time by coupling two parameters in one single real-time PCR reaction.

The foodproof® Salmonella plus Cronobacter Detection LyoKit fits to different existing open platform multi-channel real-time PCR instruments. It is easy-to-use, as DNA samples can simply be added to the lyophilized pellets. Moreover, our test prevents false-negative results by using an internal amplification control.

Our new real-time PCR test is very sensitive and specific, comparable to our ISO 16140 validated foodproof® Enterobacteriacae plus Cronobacter and Salmonella Detection Kits, respectively.

We also provide several DNA extraction kits for different sample throughput rates, such as the foodproof StarPrep One Kit for manual extraction, the foodproof StarPrep One 8-Strip Kit for high-throughput manual extraction or the foodproof Magnetic Preparation Kit I for automated DNA-extraction in combination with the KingFisher™ Flex instrument.

For information on the foodproof Salmonella plus Cronobacter Detection LyoKit visit www.bc-diagnostics.com