New rapid detection system for E.coli and Salmonella
A new system, designed for the rapid detection and positive identification of microbiological food contaminants, has been launched by Matrix MicroScience Ltd. (Newmarket, Cambs., UK).
At 16 hours, the time taken to complete an E.coli O157 or Salmonella test using the PATHATRIX system is significantly less than any detection process currently available. Typically, tests have previously taken between two to four days.
PATHATRIX is currently undergoing evaluation at the world’s largest independent food research and technology organisation, Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association Group (CCFRA), in order to achieve AOAC* accreditation.
Dr. Adrian Parton, Managing Director of Matrix Microscience commented,
‘We believe the PATHATRIX system to be a major breakthrough for the rapid testing of E.coli O157 and Salmonella. We have already received considerable interest in the product from the major retail chains, food manufacturers, livestock breeders and contract laboratories. PATHATRIX offers users significant benefits not only in terms of test speed, but ease of operation, reduction in laboratory costs and high test specificity.’
Matrix is currently developing a further test, FLURATRIX, which could reduce test times down to as little as 4.5 hours.
Requiring less than two minutes hands-on time per test, PATHATRIX utilises a proven technology, which can be adopted in any microbiology laboratory, with the minimum of retraining. Viable cultures are produced during the test allowing full and detailed analysis of any positive results.
A standard 25g food sample is homogenised with 225ml of growth media in a stomacher. PATHATRIX capture reagent, which consists of antibody coated magnetic particles specific to the target pathogen, are then added directly to the sample. The sample is loaded onto the PATHATRIX workstation using a Matrix proprietary consumable pack, connecting the sample to the circulatory system in preparation for the Capture-Culture step.
Once loaded, the PATHATRIX workstation is pre-programmed to run for 180 minutes at the desired incubation temperature. Upon completion of the run, the target microorganisms are bound onto the phase by the capture reagent. Residual debris and non-specific binding are removed during a single wash step.
The capture phase is disconnected from the system and the capture reagent/pathogen complexes are eluted by washing the phase into a vessel. The captured pathogen complexes are then concentrated into a small volume. i.e., 200ul using a magnetic rack. The sample can be plated directly onto selective media and incubated overnight for visualisation the following morning.
The standard PATHATRIX test enables colonies to be viewed within 16 hours from point of sample without the interference from other non-target organisms that are seen in conventional tests.
*Association of Official Agricultural Chemists
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