New PCR assays will Campylobacter, STEC, Vibrio and Staphylococcus aureus enable more comprehensive pathogen testing for all food manufacturers
New Thermo Scientific SureTect PCR Assays for expanded foodborne pathogen analysis. (Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific.)
US-based healthcare technology firm Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled five new Thermo Scientific SureTect PCR Assays and enhanced software to test food and related samples.
The new assays will test the samples to detect and identify Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. lari, Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus, E. coli O157:H7 and STEC, STEC, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Thermo Fisher marketing vice president Bernd Hofmann said: “The SureTect PCR Assay System offers complete, end-to-end workflows that provide manufacturers and laboratories with access to a more comprehensive range of tests for every step of their food safety analysis.
“Having the ability to quickly determine the presence or absence of foodborne pathogens, businesses can release products sooner, operate more efficiently and have peace of mind that their customers and brands are protected.”
SureTect PCR Assays will test for Campylobacter, STEC, Vibrio and Staphylococcus aureus
The company said that its new SureTect PCR Assays, along with the already existing assays, will facilitate the detection of Salmonella species, Listeria species, Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter species, Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis.
Also, the new PCR assay is said to provide manufacturers with access to an enhanced range of tests for every step in their analysis.
The SureTect PCR Assay workflow is comprised of enrichment media, turnkey PCR reagents and protocols, instrumentation for sample preparation and PCR, along with software to interpret results instantly.
Thermo Fisher said that its SureTect PCR Assay is designed to run on the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 5 Food Safety PCR System, which is an open, real-time PCR instrument used with all Thermo Scientific food safety and authenticity assays.
The six-channel configuration of the QuantStudio 5 Food Safety PCR System is capable of being used in a commercial test for identification of up to six STEC targets with the SureTect STEC Identification Assay.
Hofmann added: “Thermo Fisher has offered SureTect PCR Assays since 2013 to laboratories across the globe using them in their testing regimes. The depth and breadth of our portfolio uniquely positions us to provide simpler, faster and smarter food testing solutions for all segments of the food market.”