Biologisches Kontaminationsmanagement

Background

Interest of consumers in food safety and security is rapidly increasing worldwide. This has resulted in the recommendation of adopting hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) systems, indicating we have growing demands for food safety. In particular, because microbial contamination requires a long testing period, feedback to the food manufacturing process cannot be accomplished effectively, so that countermeasures can be delayed.

 

Technology

Yokogawa is a proponent of a robust genetic testing method that can be carried out at an overwhelming speed and simplicity. This testing method is realized through Yokogawa's high-sensitive fluorescence measurement technology developed over the years, and a newly developed non-label gene analysis device. With this technology, it is possible to quickly determine microbial contamination in food and other products, and Yokogawa believes that it can greatly contribute to reducing the operating costs of food manufacturers.

 

Yokogawa is currently developing a prototype model of a gene analysis system that allows anyone to easily detect microorganisms in food, and is conducting "proof of concept" experiments using real beverages.
If the concept can be verified through experiments, an on-site testing system that can confirm the presence of microorganisms.
Yokogawa is developing a technology that can simultaneously distinguish multiple species of microorganisms that can be contaminated in beverages. This system is based on DNA microarray technology, and ultimately determines the presence or absence of microbial contamination by fluorescence measurement taken from a DNA microarray.

 

Actual measurement results obtained are shown in the image below. Microbial contamination, as well as the type of microbe, can be detected by image analysis of the spots emitting fluorescent light.

Vision for the Future

Yokogawa's microbial test uses gene analysis as its core technology. Thus, various kinds of gene analysis become possible by freely designing the detecting probe. The use of this technology makes it possible to rapidly determine the presence of microorganisms, and it can also be expected to apply in fields that involves counter bioterrorism and the prevention of disease outbreaks.