Microbiology

Commonwealth Biotechnologies Food Safety Program

Commonwealth Biotechnologies Food Safety Program features a state-of-the-art testing service, specializing in food safety and sterility testing, technical consulting and risk management. We offer a full array of bacterial and viral testing, including Mycoplasma and Hepatitis A. CBI has initiated a rapid and sensitive food safety-testing platform to detect pathogens in foods and production facilities.

Currently at CBI we use PCR-based kits combined with the latest in microbiological and molecular biological assays to improve the continued safety of the nation's food supply. We can help answer two questions:

1. Is the background level of microorganisms in your food a cause for worry?
2. Are there any specific pathogens present in your foodstuffs?

CBI technicians and scientist stand ready to provide complete customer support including, testing, research, consulting and data management services.

CBI tests products for microbiological quality on a regular basis. This includes monitoring by FDA accepted methods of pathogens including Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and others. Rapid (Standard PCR or TaqMan) or Classical methods (Standard Biochemical and Microbiological) are used in compliance with AOAC, BAM, and other official compendia to detect the following pathogens:

Pathogens	Methods and Techniques
Bacillus cereus E.coli 0157:H7 Listeria monocytogenes Listeria species Salmonella Staphylococcus aureus Campylobacter Yersinia Hepatitis A Mycoplasma Others	Standard PCR TaqMan Standard Biochemical Identification Standard Microbiological Identification

We can work with your company to help assure food safety by monitoring your environment and work areas for pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. This can be done by either CBI personnel or yours. Rapid turnaround time, which is so important to the food industry, is a hallmark at Commonwealth Biotechnologies.

Microbiology Testing Methods

• Aerobic Plate Count by 3M Biofilm
• Aerobic Plate Count by Standard Methodology
• Anaerobic Plate Count by 3M Biofilm
• Anaerobic Plate Count by Standard Methodology
• Microaerophilic Plate Count by Standard Methodology
• Coliform Plate Count
• Sterility Testing
• Yeast & Mold Counts
• Standard Microbiology with Identification by API Test System
• PCR and TaqMan Methodology

How CBI Can Help You

CBI can design and perform a personalized program to ensure your company or vendor's food safety, quality and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) programs. CBI has developed sensitive microbiological methods coupled with PCR and TaqMan assays (ABI E. coli 0157 and Salmonella assays currently available) to rapidly identify potential pathogens, spoilage organisms, and many toxins in food matrix. CBI can provide testing on a regularly scheduled basis or as a single event. Organisms detected include the most common causes of food-borne illnesses.

The same organisms can be detected by PCR-based assays with a rapid turn-around-time using our quantitative assay platform (TaqMan). This is a quantitative assay that will generate data to determine the real numbers of organisms present in a food sample.

Other standard microbiological identification and custom PCR-based assays not mentioned above available by quotation.

Food Safety Services We Offer

• HAACP Auditing
• HAACP Training
• GLP/SOP Auditing
• GLP Compliant Testing
• Risk Management
• Technical Consulting
• Sterility Testing and Monitoring

Request a Quotation

Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc. 601 Biotech Drive, Richmond, VA 23235 800-735-9224 (800-RELY-CBI) FAX: 804-648-2641 email: [email protected]