Discover Top Posts Tagged with #coliform testing

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: (734) 984-3100 Fax: 734-222-1830 Email: [email protected] http://www.mybiolumix.com/ https://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689/

#rapid yeast and mold testing #Microbiological Testing #coliform testing #probiotics #quality assurance system

Testing for Yeast, Mold, and the Presence of Coliform in Yogurt

An Overview of Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the oldest dairy products in the world. Food historians believe that people have been consuming yogurt for more than 5,400 years. Yogurt has also proved to be a very popular food with health conscious consumers. One recent study published in Nutrition Research which looked at 6,500 men and women, showed that people who consumed two or more servings of yogurt a week had a healthier edit overall compared to the general population.

In simple terms, yogurt is a form of curdled milk. The bacteria contained in the milk ferments and coagulates. This causes the milk to thicken which creates yogurts signature creamy texture and slightly tangy, astringent taste. Added to the yogurt are flavoring and colors to give yogurts a unique appearance and taste. There are a variety of different yogurt types currently on the market. In general plain yogurt is made from cow milk and does not contain any additional flavoring or sweeteners. Flavored yogurts have fruit and other flavorings added. Generally these flavored yogurts will also have sugar added in order to change the astringent flavor of yogurt. The sugar also helps to preserve the fruit.

Coliform Assay

Coliform bacteria are a very common indicator use to assess the sanitary quality of both foods and water. A coliform is a rod-shaped non spore forming bacteria which is able to ferment in lactose if incubated at between 35 to 37 degrees. Coliforms are found many different types of environment including water, soil, vegetation and inside of the intestinal tracks of warm blood animals.

Most coliforms do not cause any disease however there is a danger of illness in vulnerable groups of people including children. Coliforms typically enter the milk used in yogurt due to poor milking practices or incorrectly washed equipment. This occurs because the bacteria are contained inside the feces of cows.

The coliform count contained in dairy products is a good indication of the sanitation involved in the processing and handling of the diary product. Pasteurization always eliminates coliform and so if pasteurization has occurred then we can assume that contamination has occurred after this point, usually during packaging or manufacturing.

The traditional method to check for the presence of coliform bacteria is the agar plate method. However more recently rapid detection methods such as the automated assay methods have been developed. These methods yield faster test times with a greater degree of accuracy compared to plate methods.

Yeast and Mold Testing

Another common test performed to indicate the hygiene of yogurt is for yeast and mold. The traditional method to assess yogurts and mold is the colony count method. In general this method takes between 5 – 7 days in order to determine the results. Studies have shown that more recently developed rapid detection methods can reduce this time-scale by more than 50%.

Interpreting traditional colony count result can be difficult. Newer methods minimize the possibility of mistakes made due to human error. This also enables skilled technicians to concentrate on more important tasks. Overall rapid detection methods for yeast and mold save laboratories time and money while producing more accurate results.

The development of yogurt bacterial testing methods with shorter time scales and greater accuracy are allowing to manufacturers to deliver safer yogurt to their consumers. Health conscious yogurt consumers are particularly aware and interested in the safety of the food that they eat. This makes these new testing methods vital for any yogurt manufacturer concerned with protecting their brand.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about coliform testing and the microbiological testing of yogurt or other food items.

Biolumix

3928 Varsity Dr.

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Phone: (734) 984-3100

Fax: 734-222-1830

Email: [email protected]

http://www.mybiolumix.com

http://plus.google.com/103841943418192727689

#coliform testing #yeast and mold testing

Choosing Appropriate Microbiology Instruments for Coliform Testing

To identify instances of contamination and avoid causing infections and illness as well as business losses, coliform testing must be a priority. Food-processing and institutional catering companies must perform regular coliform testing to establish problems in the production, packaging, storage and transportation processes. Water utility companies are also required by law to perform coliform test to check for dangerous fecal matter in drinking water. Importance of Coliform Testing The presence of coliform bacteria is considered a good indicator of the potential contamination of food, beverage, or a water source. Coliform bacteria consist of a related group of bacteria species that mostly occur in feces of warm blooded animals. Even though these bacteria do not cause disease, their presence is used to show that other microorganisms that can cause disease may be present. Water pollution and food poisoning due to fecal contamination is a serious problem. Figures from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that about 45% of diseases caused by “bad water” are related to microorganisms such as fecal coliform. Also, during the period 1971-79, 37% of disease outbreaks were related to microbial contamination caused by seepage or overflow of sewage into ground water. But only about 10% of disease outbreaks were linked to chemical contamination over the same period. In most cases, concentrations of pathogenic organisms from fecal contamination are small, but the number of different possible disease-causing bacteria is large. Consequently, it’s impractical to test for pathogenic organisms in every sample collected. Testing for an “indicator” organism like the coliform bacteria is the most effective way to determine if pathogens are present. Microbiology Quality Assurance with Coliform Testing For the food industry, microbiology quality assurance plays a critical role in ensuring product safety. Apart from helping identify pathogens, quality control food safety testing helps pinpoint problems in the production, storage, or packaging process. If any issues are identified, measures can be taken to rectify the problem quickly and effectively, protecting the interest of both the producer and the consumer. Manufacturers can evaluate their systems and consult with their suppliers or packagers to verify the source of contamination and undertake measures to eliminate the risk of pathogens. This, in turn, helps reduce waste and the need for costly, widespread product recalls. The Right Microbiology Instruments Can Provide Quick and Convenient Results Given the significance of quality control via coliform testing, and the negative effects that pathogens can have on food and beverage products, the ability to find quick and effective solutions is essential. This is where quality instrumentation for microbial testing and rapid detection systems for microbiology come in. Our range of diagnostic products for microbial detection and identification, quality indicator enumeration, pathogen detection and environmental monitoring for food and beverage products allow for highly accurate testing that provides those answers within the shortest time possible.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about the significance of coliform testing.