Neogen, Lansing, Mich., expanded its comprehensive line of food safety and quality testing products to include a rapid assay to detect the growth of heterotrophic bacterial microorganisms (e.g., Pseudomonas spp.) in a wide variety of sample types.

Neogen’s new Soleris NF-TVC (total viable count) can produce accurate results in as little as 24 hours, which represents a 24-hour improvement over traditional testing methods that can require up to 48 hours. Unlike testing alternatives, Neogen’s new assay can be used to test large sample sizes.

“The presence of heterotrophic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, is a critical factor in the shelf life of fluid dairy products, aseptic UHT products, bottled water and many other food and personal care products,” says Jeff Demey, market development manager-rapid microbiology. “The new Soleris assay delivers speed and the increased sensitivity over alternative methods that comes with using up to a full 5 mL sample with the Soleris system. Soleris is the only rapid microbiological system that is capable of consistently delivering reliable results on difficult product matrixes, while at the same time being an effective, economical choice for common safety and quality testing.”

The new assay is a new option for use with Neogen’s Soleris technology, which is now used by hundreds of the world’s largest food and nutraceutical manufacturers to detect indicator microbes in a fraction of the time needed for traditional methods. The Soleris system is a rapid optical method for the detection of microbial contamination based on an innovative application of classic microbiology. The optical assay measures microbial growth in test vials by monitoring biochemical reactions that generate a color change as microorganisms grow and metabolize.  

Neogen’s Soleris line also includes quick, automated quality indicator system protocols for:
.     Yeast and mold in 60 to 72 hours; conventional methods take five days
.     Coliforms in nine to 10 hours; conventional methods take 24 hours
.     E. coli in seven to 10 hours; conventional methods take 24 hours
.     Lactic bacteria in 30 to 35 hours; conventional methods take three to five days

Neogen Corp. develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s food safety division markets diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases, sanitation concerns and dehydrated culture media.