Our accredited tests allow for fast detection of harmful bacteria
Ensuring food safety with rapid micro testing
Our accredited tests allow for fast detection of harmful bacteria
As a food producer, your main priority is to ensure that your products are safe for consumption. Here at SciCorp Laboratories, we take care of that problem. With our rapid microbiological testing, we are able todetect the leading food pathogens, Salmonella and Listeria, faster than traditional methods can, saving you valuable time.
Based in Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria, SciCorp Laboratories hasbeen serving the agricultural industry since 2008 as Incotec, and became SciCorp in 2016. We have continuously been expanding our services and now offer a variety of testing, consulting, research, and development services to a broad range of clients and industries in the agricultural, food, and feed sectors. Our various microbiological and chemical tests are accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), ensuring that they are of the highest standards. Our accredited services include rapid detection of Listeria and Salmonella; enumeration of bacteria, yeast and mold; and detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Rapid detection of Listeria and Salmonella
Our rapid microbiological testing kits detect Listeria and Salmonella up to two to three times faster than traditional methods.
Why is it important to test products for Listeria and Salmonella?
Listeria and Salmonella are two of the leading causes of foodborne diseases. These bacteria can be carried unnoticed in animals and can also be present in water, soil and animal manure. Food samples can become infected with Listeria or Salmonella when they come into contact with contaminated water, soil or animal manure somewhere along the production line. In most cases, one can’ttell that food has been contaminated with Listeria or Salmonella, as the food has no abnormal taste or smell. Eating food infected with Listeria or Salmonella can lead to food poisoning and serious illnesses. Sending contaminated food to retail impacts consumers’ health and can gravely affect the brand’s reputation. It is, therefore, essential to test food products before they go out to the shelves, to prevent consequences such as sample recall. It is also vital to ensure that the facilities used to produce food products are sanitary and free of Listeria and Salmonella, so that the spread can be prevented early in production, saving valuable time and resources. As Listeria and Salmonella are invisible to the naked eye, testsare needed to detect the presence of their DNA in samples. At our facilities, we can test your food products or samples from your facilities, such as soil and water for the presence of Listeria or Salmonella, and provide fast results, so you can rest assured that your products are safe for consumption.
How do these rapid tests work?
We use certified kits that have been specifically designed for fast and reliable detection of Listeria and Salmonella DNA. Our Listeria detection kit can detect the presence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes DNAin human food and environmental samples. Our Salmonella detection kit can detect the presence of Salmonella spp. DNA in food, feed and environmental samples. The kits we use save a lot of time, as results can be ready within 24 hours, whereas traditional methods take from 48 to 72 hours. The steps used to detectListeria and Salmonella are similar. First, the conditions are changed to increasethe numbers of Listeria or Salmonella that might be present in the sample to detectable levels. Then, the cells are broken open to release the DNA of Listeria or Salmonella into solution. The samples then go through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which makes more copies of Listeria or Salmonella’s DNA. Finally, we analyse the results with computer software to determine whether the DNA of Listeria or Salmonella is present in the sample.
Counting organisms in food with enumeration studies
Industry and hygiene standards often require that the amounts of specific microbes in samples are below a specific level. With enumeration studies, we can determine the amount of bacteria, yeast, mold and total viable counts present in your samples to verify whether your samples meet these regulatory standards.
Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus
Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria that produce toxins, called enterotoxins, in foodthat can lead to food poisoning when present in high amounts. Enumeration studies can determine the presence and levels of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in your food sample.
Escherichia coli
While some strains of E. coli bacteria are harmless to humans, others can cause different types of diseases and food poisoning. Determining whether the amounts of harmful E. coli in food samples are below a specific level can ensure food safety.
Yeasts and mold
Several yeasts and mold species can be hazardous to human health, as they produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Knowing how much yeast and mold there is in your sample can prevent early food spoilage.
Total Viable Counts
Total viable counts determine the number of microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeast or mold in a sample. We can determine whether the total viable counts of your sampleisbelow the acceptable limit.
For more information about our services, look at our website, www.scicorplab.com. Our highly qualified and friendly staff are happy to assist with any queries.
