First ever simultaneous Listeria spp/Salmonella spp test launched by MATRIX

MATRIX MicroScience Ltd. (Newmarket, Cambs. UK) has announced the launch of a unique rapid detection and positive identification system, which simultaneously tests for Listeria spp and Salmonella spp contamination in food samples. Previously, tests for each pathogen have had to be conducted separately.

Giving completed test results in just 40 hours, the new PATHATRIX Dual test, has received AOAC* R1 Validation after an extensive evaluation process at Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA). MATRIX’s PATHATRIX system has also received AOAC accreditation for the individual testing of E. coli O157, Listeria spp and Salmonella spp.

As a result of the Dual test, laboratories will no longer have to conduct two separate tests, weigh both sets of samples or prepare two sets of selective media.

Dr. Adrian Parton, Managing Director of MATRIX MicroScience comments,
‘This breakthrough allows laboratories to simultaneously test for Listeria and Salmonella contamination in food, binging potentially massive benefits for throughput and efficiency.

‘Potentially, laboratories testing for both pathogens could double productivity by reducing the labour involved in media preparation and weighing. The single sample requires no chemicals, simply Buffered Peptone Water and the process achieves significant savings in terms of both equipment and consumables.’

Utilising a proven technology, PATHATRIX requires less than two minutes hands-on time per test. 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 and is incubated overnight. 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 30 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.

In the case of the new Dual test, the single sample is simply split over two plates, each containing the appropriate media for the target pathogen.

The standard PATHATRIX test enables colonies to be viewed within 40 hours from point of sample without the interference from other non-target organisms that are seen in conventional tests.

*Association of Analytical Communities

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