April 2021

Extended validation scope for Salmonella Precis method

Extended validation of the Thermo Scientific™ Salmonella Precis™ Method simplifies workflows and encompasses challenging food matrices

A quick and easy culture-based method for the enrichment, detection, and confirmation of Salmonella species has been validated for the broadest range of food, animal feed, and environmental samples, and is ready to slot into standard laboratory workflows.

Extension of the validation scope for the Thermo ScientificSalmonella Precis Method according to ISO 16140-2 brings the opportunity for increased efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple broths, plates, supplementation, and incubation temperatures. Historically, alternative, more rapid, Salmonella testing methods have required specialized enrichment broths and supplements, and incubation temperatures have differed from those for other forms of bacterial screening. This, combined with the difficulties of testing larger samples of substances like chocolate, infant formula, and animal feed, have presented laboratories with something of an efficiency challenge.

By incorporating Buffered Peptone Water as the enrichment medium for the Salmonella Precis Method laboratories can reduce handling and increase workflow efficiency. The same sample preparation can now be used for other procedures such as quality indicator enumeration and detection of other bacterial targets that also use BPW for enrichment.

Crucially, the method has been validated for the broadest range of food matrices, including challenging samples such as cocoa and chocolate (up to 375 g), infant formula (with and without probiotics), infant cereals, and related ingredients (up to 375 g), and animal feed (up to 150 g).

Confirmation is available in just two minutes using the Thermo Scientific™ Salmonella Latex Test, meaning laboratories can act quickly and decisively on behalf of their clients.

The Salmonella Precis Method:

  • Uses a single, overnight enrichment step for fast time to result
  • Uses a BPW enrichment enabling quality indicators enumeration from the same broth reducing costs
  • Uses liquid supplementation for higher throughput at a lower cost
  • Uses fewer consumables, compared to traditional methods
  • Is effective at between 34°C and 38°C, reducing the need for alternative-temperature incubators
  • Uses widely available broths and supplements for increased confidence in supply
     

To find out more about the Thermo Scientific Precis Method and other workflows for detection of Salmonella in foods and other sample types visit thermofisher.com/salmonella-testing-food

 

Return to Food Safety and Authenticity Bulletin homepage