Rapid Microbiology

microbiology quality assurance

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Sufates and Your Health

  Have questions about sulfates?  Contact the experts at Biolumix today.

  Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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The Dirty Business of Tattoo Infections

  Learn more about tattoo safety: contact Biolumix today.

  Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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5 Common Probiotic Myths You Probably Believe

  Myth: Probiotics Treat Illnesses and Viruses There haven’t been enough scientific trials performed to confirm results beyond a doubt here. But many doctors and patients alike swear to the benefits of probiotics for various health concerns. That does not mean they’re miracle cures or are medications on their own. But taken as preventative care, like vitamins and other supplements, probiotics may help lower excess body inflammation. This may help improve skin conditions, increase immunity, and help reduce the risks for certain diseases. But there’s still a lot of lab work to cover before such results can be confirmed. And again, probiotics are NEVER a replacement for necessary medication. Myth: Nutrition Labels Are a Good Source for Microbe and Culture Counts Sometimes but not always. Food manufacturers are notorious for misleading the general public. Just like “fat-free” and “low sugar” labels aren't always actually void of fat and sugar, not all labels marked with microbe counts can or should be trusted. In most cases, the counts aren't even available. Supplements, on the other hand, often do contain an actual count, but the numbers may be significantly off by the by the time they arrive in your favorite store or take up shelf space in your refrigerator. Myth: Yogurt is a Great Probiotic False… in most cases. Yogurt contains active cultures, but they don’t contain the protective additives necessary to ensure that the cultures can survive stomach acid. Yogurt may certainly help improve your health, but claims aren't always completely factual. New strains of good bacteria, however, are regularly being added to yogurt recipes. So anything can happen down the road. But for now, “live cultures” are different than true probiotics. Myth: How Do Scientists Test Yogurt For Microbial Counts? Some foods seem to be created specifically for microbiological testing. Yogurt is one of those foods. Pharmaceutical microbiology comes into play as samples are studied not only for bacterial microbial counts and comparisons, but also the availability of mold and yeast. Specific microbiological instruments assist technicians as they study and compare microbial counts based on the reaction of diffused carbon dioxide on prepared Coliform test samples. Upon confirmation of pathogen totals, rapid testing for bacteria can be confirmed within 12 hours and yeast and mold counts are usually confirmed within 48 hours – a substantial improvement to the 7-day lead times of yesteryear. Microbiological quality assurance eliminates the dangers of contaminated foods quickly and effectively as you carry on with your life. You’re welcome.

  Learn more about microbiological quality control at Biolumix.

Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Modern Diseases May Be Brought Down by DNA Gene Mapping

You’ve probably heard of genetic mapping. It’s become a medical research staple over the past few decades to help professionals decode and comprehend the growth potential and intent of modern diseases. But new breakthroughs are leading top microbiologists toward mapping the DNA of bacteria responsible for food poisoning outbreaks as well.

DNA mapping for bacterial concerns is a relatively new concept which, due to past cost restrictions, has been performed sparingly. Since sequencing techniques are now faster and offered at cheaper rates, however, Congress has allotted the CDC with a $30 million budget for advanced molecular detection. CDC’s director, Dr. Tom Frieden, compares the application to picking a criminal offender out of a lineup using his fingerprint as opposed to hear-say or visual similarities. Previous testing for mass bacteria threats in public health situations relied on decade-old procedures which simply did not work well enough to prevent mass breakouts. But government officials at the federal and state levels are trying to catch up by comparing all listeria breakouts thus far this year with listeria found in food sources. Decoding those DNA strains will help them determine which strains microbiologists should focus on first. Pharmaceutical Microbiology Save the Day

As most outbreaks will occur from food, samples are sent in to labs and clinics. Pharmaceutical microbiology saves the day by implementing the most current rapid detection systems available. Utilizing specific testing procedures and microbiology instruments, results are often available within a day or two. This type of microbiology quality assurance is used in businesses all the time. While this type of testing is usually successful for containing high pathogen counts in many types of threats, sometimes it’s fallible on a grand scale. In 2012, for example, a major outbreak in the Netherlands was linked to smoked salmon from America; however, the actual offending strains were different. An epidemiologist from the Minnesota Department of Health admitted that current testing for bacteria is relatively weak compared to the thorough genome mapping. Making Foods Safer

Allowing microbiologists to study the bacterial DNA may very well be the first step to eliminating food poisoning concerns permanently. If the project works as planned, and genome mapping allows the CDC to instantly see which strains caused the most recent illnesses, food safety practices will change dramatically. A leading microbiologist at George Washington University has also been using DNA mapping to study the effects on antibiotic-resistant pathogens, so this could be just the tip of the iceberg for near-future medical advancements. Applying the Tools on a Big Scale

But just how is this going to work for controlling outbreaks across the country and, eventually, globally? After all, the CDC acquired the necessary tools for the job only recently. Comparing the causes from a few sick people is one thing, but classifying multiple strains across the nation is a tall order. But with the assistance of the enormous federal database, gene maps can be stored and compared as necessary. The listeria project began as Dr. Robert Tauxe of the CDC and a group of investigators tracked the connection of sick postnatal women and their newborns in Maryland to a resulting death in California. Standard microbiological tests pointed fingers at listeria strains in a type of Hispanic cheese, and DNA sequencing confirmed it. Current testing is appropriate when used for specific purposes but, for a widespread scale, gene mapping may just be a new age miracle.

  Find out more about gene mapping and microbiological testing at Biolumix. Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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The Most Common Sources of Food Poisoning

Most food recalls deal directly with simple mistakes: accidental ingredient omission on labels, or marking an item as gluten-free when it’s actually a gluten source. While these mistakes can lead to problems, primarily related to allergic reactions, news reports make it seem like every recall is an all out attack on the American public. While pathogens do play a part in recalls, for the most part they only affect those people who have low immunity to the bacteria, such as children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals who have immune issues due to disease. 

Certainly, this is a large amount of people affected by the pathogens, but the majority of people can fight off most of the culprits. For healthy, risk-free people, cooking food thoroughly typically negates all concerns regarding tainted food. (This can be difficult with produce.) But for those who do suffer from a weak immune system or are otherwise compromised, the following foods pose the most common health threats.

  Beef and Chicken

Airborne pathogens lead to food poisoning, and that often begins at the processing level. The Wolverine Packing Company in Detroit suffered a massive blow by recalling almost 2 million pounds of E.coli-tainted beef this year. But that was nothing compared to California's Rancho Feeding Corporation’s recall, which involved the contamination of 9 million beef and veal products. The source in those cases dealt with the practice of processing diseased animals and bypassing inspection procedures. 

  At least a dozen salmonella recalls on chicken have already been reported this year, leading to 1.5 million pounds being recalled. Salmonella is not only dangerous but deadly, killing approximately 450 people annually. Campylobacter is another poultry-loving pathogen to consider as it kills close to 80 people per year. In both cases, symptoms include cramping, diarrhea, and fever, but Campylobacter takes it up a notch and helps you eliminate your lunch orally as well. 

  Sprouts

Bacteria and sprouts love the same growth medium: warm, moist conditions. So, it should come as no surprise that bacteria easily cling to sprouts. Just a few spores on sprout stems can lead to infestation of an entire crop. The culprit? Typically Listeria. This pathogen is present on everything in nature, and most people are immune. Pregnant women, however, have a particularly high risk of developing Listeria-based complications and should always follow a doctor’s orders regarding food restrictions. 

  Spices

Every agricultural product, before harvesting occurs, is exposed to pathogens, such as dust, dirt, animal waste. Based on FDA reports, 12 percent of imported spices contain animal feces, human hair, and insect casings. Seven percent are tainted with salmonella, which might be considered a low percentage. So why should that alarm? Two reasons: The percentage is twice as much as what has been found in other food sources, and salmonella breeds extremely quickly. So containment is impossible once it’s bottled and shipped.

  Eggs and Milk

Eggs and raw milk are prime breeding grounds for salmonella. Cooking the yolk until it’s firm and insisting on pasteurized eggs are essential to killing the potential cause of infestation. The health benefits of raw milk are negated as soon as salmonella takes over. E.coli and Listeria are often present as well. To avoid these issues, consider dairy-free milk substitutes such as coconut milk, hemp milk, almond milk, rice milk, and limited amounts of soy milk.

  Shellfish and Other Allergic Foods

Shellfish feed by absorbing microbes into their soft flesh. As a result, your beloved serving of lunchtime goodies may be laced with a disease agent known as vibrio. This can lead to common food poisoning symptoms and can also cause sepsis (blood poisoning) or infections in existing wounds. Shellfish is also one of the top allergy foods. As most recalls are due to improper labeling, lacking the inclusion of specific allergy foods in prepackaged food sources can, in some cases, lead to severe reactions and even death.

  Fruit

Fruit and vegetables are usually consumed in their raw forms. And that’s essential to health since regular consumption of fruit can lower the chance of stroke by 32 percent and eating fruit lowers the risk by 11 percent. Such important foods, however, are often mishandled in the processing plant. Manure, dirty water, and unclean workers can cause microbes to develop on the fresh products. Washing at home helps, but it doesn't eliminate the contaminants.

  Of course, proper microbiological testing utilizing modern rapid detection systems can help to contain all known pathogens and prevent them from wreaking havoc on your system. In most cases, within 18-48 hours, confirmation can be drawn based on current testing procedures. Once contained, the pathogens are eliminated from the food sources and sent on to be enjoyed by the consumer.

  Restaurant Foods

In most restaurants, we have no idea who’s cooking our food, and yet we’re compelled to trust them implicitly. But a single omelet cooked in a restaurant may contain bits of over 100 eggs. In some cases, cleanliness is an issue. Always consider the health rating posted at the door of any food-related place you patron. And always insist your meat is cooked completely.

  Accidents happen but uncleanliness is never acceptable. Pharmaceutical microbiology uses specific microbiology instruments and practices in order to control and contain avoidable outbreaks. The government has gotten involved in requiring this type of testing for food manufacturers. But every so often, a company breaks the rules and the nation pays for their sins. To prevent future problems, vow to stop spending your money on a guilty company’s product until it complies fully with proper safety standards. Sometimes hurting them where it counts – in their wallets – is the best way to ensure they put your needs first.

  Find out how you can ensure food safety by contacting Biolumix today.

  Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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As Antibiotics Increase, Bacteria Grow Stronger

  Learn more about how microbial testing is working to protect you by contacting Biolumix today.

  Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Food Poisoning and How It Can Be Avoided

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The Food Poisoning That Could Have Been Avoided: Egg and Salmonella Outbreak

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Understanding Rapid Microbiological Methods for Testing Medications

In today’s society, medications are used and required for everything from the discomfort of a mosquito bite to treat the symptoms and unbearable pain associated with chronic disease. All forms of medication undergo some form of testing, but it may be surprising to know what that entails.

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Rapid Microbiological Methods and Vaccine Testing

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Regulating the Chemical Components of Cosmetics

Contact Biolumix to learn more about rapid microbiological testing methods for cosmetics.

Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Rapid Microbiological Testing for Listeria

  Contact Biolumix to learn more about rapid microbiological testing methods for listeria. Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Trends in Food Safety: Microbial Testing

Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Toxic Fillers: Is Your Dermatologist or Cosmetic Surgeon Using Legit Fillers?

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Why Your Pet’s Food Must Undergo Microbiological Testing

Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing for pet food.

Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Yeast and Mold Microbiological Testing: Reducing Contaminants in Medical Marijuana

Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing of medical marijuana. Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

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Could Microbiological Testing Have Prevented Latest Salmonella Outbreak?

  Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing for salmonella.

Biolumix 3928 Varsity Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/