In the beverage industry, particularly in fruit juice production, maintaining high-quality standards across various parameters and products is a necessity. The IFU (International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association), a key organization responsible for standardizing processing methods, annually updates its methodologies to aid both industries and laboratories in their quality control processes. 

Among these methodologies, the MM 12 Method is about the Detection and Enumeration of Spore-forming Thermo Acidophilic Spoilage Bacteria (Alicyclobacillus spp.). This method plays a critical role in preventing fruit juices, purees, and concentrate products contaminated with guaiacol from going on the market. 

About Guaïacol
Guaïacol is a chemical compound that can be produced by certain bacteria, such as guaiacol-positive strains of Alicyclobacillus, which are known for causing spoilage in acid pH beverages like fruit juices, by imparting a smoky or medicinal off-flavor. This makes detecting and enumerating these specific bacteria critical for maintaining the quality and safety of beverage products. 

A Focused Approach by Diamidex
Diamidex's MICA Alicyclobacillus solution offers a targeted, efficient alternative, concentrating solely on guaiacol-positive (G+) strains, the primary concern for taste and safety. This specificity eliminates the need for the two-step process required by IFU MM12—first identifying all Alicyclobacillus spp. and then testing for guaiacol positivity. MICA streamlines quality control by directly identifying G+ strains with less effort and in a single step.

Challenges of IFU MM12
However, despite IFU MM12 widespread use, certain challenges have been identified.  

• The time to results can be significantly long 
• The reliability and variability of counting have been observed. 
• Additionally, the method's ability to detect all types of Alicyclobacillus, including those that do not pose a spoilage risk, can be seen as a limitation rather than a benefit. 
• Another concern lies in the operational aspects of methods, which heavily rely on the technician's training, experience, and intuition, potentially affecting the consistency and reliability of results. 

Several alternatives have been investigated to refine the IFU MM12 method, but Diamidex's MICA Alicyclobacillus uniquely balances efficiency, cost, and TTR optimization without compromising the method's integrity. 

Enhancing Microbial Quality Control
Diamidex offers a revolutionary approach with its MICA Alicyclobacillus solution, providing automatic analyses within just 24 hours of incubation (or up to 48 hours for non-filterable samples). The results are presented in CFU/L with a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 1 CFU/membrane. This non-destructive process specifically targets guaiacol positive bacteria, ensuring relevance and specificity in detection. 

By simplifying existing workflows and with the simple addition of a reagent drop during the filtration process, MICA Alicyclobacillus not only aligns with but enhances the IFU MM12 method.  

It delivers results much faster, allowing for improved stock management and laboratory efficiency. This innovation eliminates the need for prolonged incubation periods and the laborious task of counting colonies on agar plates, positioning MICA Alicyclobacillus as an ideal solution for the beverage industry.

Having already been adopted by several leading juice companies, MICA Alicyclobacillus is definitely a significant improvement in the MM12 IFU Method.  

We are so confident in the value MICA Alicyclobacillus brings to your quality control processes that we're offering an exclusive, one-month free trial, completely free of charge. This is your opportunity to experience firsthand how MICA can streamline your operations, improve accuracy, and save time.

Don't miss out on this chance to revolutionize your microbial detection approach with MICA Alicyclobacillus. For more information and to start your free trial, visit: Diamidex's Alicyclobacillus Detection Solutions or use the Request Information button below to contact the supplier directly.