Ultrasensitive Test for Pathogenic E Coli

A rapid and ultrasensitive test is designed to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination in foods.

The test enables meat processors to test for E coli in less than five minutes. Current systems can take as long as 48 hours. The system is based on Canary, a biosensor technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Boston, MA, USA) and exclusively licensed to Innovative Biosensors, Inc. (IBI, College Park, MD, USA), which launched the new test. The assay protocol is simple, according to the company, requiring minimal training and easy-to-use instrumentation. The E coli test is the first in a series of upcoming IBI products for rapid pathogen detection.

"This product will revolutionize pathogen testing by allowing food producers to test the safety of their products faster than ever without sacrificing sensitivity,” remarked Joe Hernandez, CEO of IBI.

Most strains of E coli, a common inhabitant of the gut of warm-blooded animals, are harmless. However, some strains, such as E coli O157:H7, can cause severe foodborne disease and are referred to as enterohaemorrhagic E coli (EHEC). E coli O157:H7 is transmitted to humans mainly through consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, cheese, and cooked maize.




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