World's Fastest E. coli O157 Test Launched By MATRIX

Newmarket, UK, based Matrix Microscience has launched the world’s fastest commercially available method for the detection of E.coli O157 in food samples.

Using a standard 375g sample, the test can be completed, from start to finish, in just 6 ¾ hours. A European version of the test, which utilises a 25g sample, can be completed in 5 ¼ hours.

The new test combines two of Matrix’s proprietary technologies, PATHATRIX and COLORTRIX. The PATHATRIX system is designed for the rapid detection and positive identification of microbiological food contaminants, while COLORTRIX is a screening system which provides presence/absence results within 15 minutes.

Dr. Adrian Parton, Managing Director of Matrix Microscience commented,
‘The new process is being heralded as a major breakthrough in E.coli 0157 testing and is generating enormous interest in both the US and Europe.

‘The PATHATRIX/COLORTRIX method, which is capable of detecting a single cfu in a 25g 375 gm? sample, is proving particularly popular with the beef market, where accurate, rapid testing can significantly enhance productivity and is critical for QA.’

To undertake the test, a 375g food sample is homogenised with 1 liter of growth media in a stomacher and incubated for 5 ½ hours. PATHATRIX capture reagent, which consists of E.coli specific, antibody coated magnetic particles, is then added directly to the sample. The sample is loaded onto the PATHATRIX workstation, connecting the sample to the circulatory system in preparation for the Capture-Culture step.

Once loaded, PATHATRIX is pre-programmed to run for 1 hour and on completion of the run, the E .coli microorganisms are bound onto the phase by the capture reagent. Residual debris and non-specific binding are removed during a single wash step.

The captured pathogen complexes are then concentrated into a small volume, i.e., 200ul using a magnetic rack.

A COLORTRIX antibody/enzyme is then added to the concentrate for 5 minutes before being diluted with 1 ml of wash buffer and magnetic removal of the of the bead/bacteria complexes. After a further two washes, half the concentrate is removed and added to a second reagent. The sample is then left for 5 minutes to develop color.

A blue color indicates a ‘presumptive positive,’ while a clear sample is recorded as a ‘presumptive negative.’ Should a positive result be recorded, the sample remaining in the wash vessel is plated on the appropriate agar media, while a negative indicates that no further action is required.

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