ESB's New Test Offerings!

Yeast & Mold, Acidophiles, Salmonella, E coli O157, and Listeria

ESB is excited to announce our latest analytical offering in the microbiology department: Yeast & Mold, Acidophiles, Salmonella and Listeria testing along with E. coli O157:H7. With these additional capabilities we will assist our clients as they monitor and comply in areas outside the environmental realm. "These tests will be very helpful to our clients who produce and sell bottled beverages such as energy drinks, etc. US food safety standards are of the highest importance and these tests will provide the producer with confidence that they are releasing a safe product to the public," says ESB's Quality Assurance Manager, Stacey Fry.

The ability to perform these tests quickly and reliably were critical factors leading ESB to invest in a Vidas® instrument from Biomerieux.  The department was pleased to add new capabilities and an additional staff member to increase the suite of lab services available. Analysts and Microbiology Department Manager, Carol Kase, have spent the last six months in research and method development, partnering with the staff at Biomerieux to bring automated, rapid pathogen monitoring to our customers. 

The Vidas® instrument uses test 'strips' that are selective to the specific pathogens of interest and reads these strips using a fluorometric scanner. The amount of time needed to conduct these analyses is determined by the type of test required. Ms. Fry explains, "the longest method step is the incubation needed to facilitate pathogen growth. For example, once the sample is prepped by the laboratory, incubation in various media for approximately 52 hours is required to isolate and grow Listeria.  Salmonella must incubate for approximately 48 hours, while E. coli O157:H7 incubates for approximately 24 hours. Once the samples have completed incubation, results can be obtained from the Vidas® in only a couple of hours."

With our laboratory location and reputation for quality, ESB believes clients will find these additional services convenient and beneficial. Yeast & Mold, Acidophiles, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria testing are available for your project applications today, so please contact your Project Manager if you are interested in learning more.