Microorganism enumeration is the determination of the number of individual viable microbes in a sample. In an effort to improve on the productivity, accuracy and efficiency at their microbiology laboratory, Innovative Research Solutions (IRS) has invested in Biomérieux’s Tempo® and Dilumat® after extensive testing and validation of the equipment at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Food Science. During the validation period, the results correlated well when compared with the standard methods and the results achieved at third party accredited laboratories (i.e. no statistical difference observed). Not only did it improve the lab’s efficiency, but more importantly it reduced the time associated with reporting of results by more than 60%, when compared to traditional methods. The advantage of having microbiology results available in a reduced time has a significant impact on all aspects of the food production supply chain, especially improving the safety and quality of perishable products.
Biomérieux's Tempo technology
Tempo® is an automated system for microorganism enumeration, which include test kits for Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli, yeast and mould, as well as Bacillus cereus. It ensures consistent quality control and surveillance under any circumstance, with ready-to-use reagents, standardised protocol for all food matrixes, flexibility of reading period, reduced hands-on preparation time, automatic dilution and automated reading and interpretation of results. The Tempo® kits have all been internationally validated by AFNOR and AOAC and is a recognised method for organism enumeration. The amount of preparation required, waste generation and consumables used, are significantly less, compared to standard methods.
The Tempo® system allows for full traceability and can facilitate laboratory audits. The main advantage of using the Tempo®, is the shorter time to have results available when compared to standard methods. The time to result for APC enumeration can be cut down from 72hrs to 24hrs, while yeast and mould incubation can be reduced from 5 to 7 days down to 72hrs. No confirmation steps are required for any of the test kits. Due to the reduced turnaround time, products can be positively released to customers quicker than before. Any problems and contamination that could have occurred during production are also detected faster, allowing the factory to respond and deal with the problem without further delaying production.
Biomérieux's Dilumat technology
IRS has also introduced the Dilumat® into its process. An automated sample diluter that is extremely rapid and easy-to-use. Meeting the necessary requirements of ISO 7218, the two-pump system of Dilumat® allows two different diluents to be connected simultaneously and can dilute food samples ranging from 3 – 375 g within seconds. The diluents can be interchanged depending on what diluent is required for a certain sample or test. Microbiologist, Anneri Carinus, mentions that what makes the equipment impressive, is that it weighs off the exact amount of diluent needed for every individual sample, which reduces the risk of contamination and human error. Carinus also commends the efficient service and technical support of the entire Biomérieux team, specifically singling out Industry Sales and Application Specialist, Jansie van Dyk.
The Biomérieux equipment will be located at the recently established Centre for Food Security that forms a part of the Food Science Department at Stellenbosch University. Professor at this department and director of the new centre, Pieter Gouws, mentions that the Tempo® and Dilumat® equipment will ensure multidisciplinary teams following an interdisciplinary approach, to do research and to solve problems. He speaks of the Centre for Food Security as a place where “researchers, students and industry partners can collaborate to make a tangible difference to food safety research.” Synercore plays a core role in this research centre as Gouws refers to it as an “extremely valuable stakeholder.”
How will this technology help us shape the industry?
IRS will utilise the microorganism enumeration equipment for mainly research and development-based activities. However, Synercore will make exclusive use of IRS for all in-house routine product analysis. Thus, improving on the speed and agility as far as service delivery to our customers is concerned. As stated by Alex Zabbia, Research and Development Executive at Synercore: “Synercore supports research and development initiatives through its investment in and close collaboration with Innovative Research Solutions (IRS), which focuses on the development of new technologies for commercial use within the food industry. The recent procurement of the Biomérieux Tempo® and Dilumat® is yet another step towards improving productivity within IRS laboratories. And by extension, increase Synercore’s positive impact within the food industry and overall service delivery to our customers.”
Innovative Research Solutions is a Strategic Partner of Synercore