Microbiology - Enterobacteriaceae

Laboratory analysis for determining the total number of colony-forming units of bacteria, bacterial spres count as well as yeast and molds in dry market pulp, paper, and paperboard after disintegration. NOTE: Please note that while preparing the samples for shipping, please use aluminum foil/ envelopes/ self-closing plastic bags to protect the samples. Samples can be wrapped as such in aluminum foil, in ready-to-use sterile envelopes, or in self-closing bags, which are commercially available.

Shelf life refers to the time between the production date and the "best before" or "use by" date of a product. In the EU, the date of minimum durability is mandatory food information for almost all packaged foods, supplements, and feed products. During the product's shelf life, when stored according to instructions, the product should: Not pose a microbiological hazard to the consumer. Microbiological risks are usually more prevalent in perishable products, such as raw meat and dairy, but must also be accounted for with more stable products with a longer shelf life. , Not pose a chemical hazard to the consumer. Certain toxins may accumulate in the product due to microbiological activity. It is also possible that the packaging material is not fully compatible with the contents, causing contaminants to leach into the food or feed., Retain all relevant characteristics, such as nutritional value, consistency, and flavor. . There are various approaches to assessing the stability of food products over their intended shelf life: Sensory analysis can be used to assess the retention of sensory properties, such as flavor and odor., Nutritional analyses, measurement of water activity, and pH give information about changes in composition. They can also be used to assess microbiological stability and risks., Nutrient level monitoring is necessary for products containing vitamins and other nutrients to ensure that nutrient levels are maintained throughout the shelf life., Fat oxidation parameters, such as peroxide, p-Anisidine, and TOTOX value, can be used to assess the oxidative stability of fat-containing foods. Fat oxidation parameters can, in some cases, also explain a downward trend in sensory quality.. Shelf life studies can be conducted in real-time using the storage conditions described in the packaging. Alternatively, accelerated studies in elevated temperature and/or relative humidity can be performed to approximate the shelf life within a shorter time frame. In addition to the best-before or use-by date, the period after opening can also be determined. Every shelf life study is unique, and the testing conditions, duration, and analyzed parameters are chosen based on product characteristics and related risks. For more information and a quote tailored to your product, please contact us through the form below.

The following analyses are included in this nanoparticle analysis package, intended to characterize nanoforms according to the REACH Regulation. Particle size distribution and aspect ratios by SEM-EDX Preparation with isopropanol, Sample dispersion on a slide, with centrifugation, SEM analysis and particle count by image analysis, Nanoparticle detection and classification according to the 2022 EC recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial, Reporting of PSD parameters for ~300 particles, including the following: PSD diagram, accumulated and individual., Feret min (min, d10, d25, d50, d75, d90, d95, max), Feret max (min, d10, d25, d50, d75, d90, d95, max), Equivalent circular diameter (min, d10, d25, d50, d75, d90, d95, max), Aspect ratio (calculated based on individual Feret min and Feret max measurements), Number based nano-fraction (%).. Crystal phase analysis by XRD/Rietveld method Sample preparation: drying, grinding, X-ray preparation, XRD analysis over an angular range extending from 10° to 90°, Identification of the crystalline phases present in the sample, Semi-quantitative analysis of phase distribution, using the Rietveld method, Interpretation of diffractograms. Chemical composition/purity by ICP-AES and CHNS analysis ICP-AES quantification of inorganic and metallic elements: Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr, V, Zn, Ti, and Tl, Determination of C, H, N, and S with an elemental analyzer. Volume-specific surface area (VSSA) and VSSA diameter calculations (optional) BET specific surface area measurement of powder by nitrogen adsorption, True (skeletal) density measurement by He pycnometry, excluding intergranular and intragranular porosity, Both analyses include sample preparation. You can request a quote for the analysis using the form below. Please note that the OECD 125 guideline does not apply to this analysis.

Analysis package for dietary supplements. All supplement products must comply with maximum levels for heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg), as specified in Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/915. Microbiological quality should also be assessed to ensure high-risk pathogens do not end up in the product. The displayed price includes the following analyses: Heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb), Aerobic plate count, Yeasts and moulds, Escherichia coli, Coagulase-positive staphylococci, Salmonella in 25 g, Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g. Upon request, additional parameters can be added to the package at an additional cost. Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/915 sets maximum levels for the following contaminants in certain supplement products: Citrinin in food supplements based on rice fermented with red yeast Monascus purpureus, Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food supplements containing botanical preparations, including extracts and pollen based food supplements, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH 4) in food supplements containing botanicals and their preparations, or propolius, royal jelly, spirulina, and their preparations. Other available analyses that can be relevant depending on product composition include: Additional microbiological parameters, such as presumptive Bacillus cereus, Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, Other plant alkaloids, such as tropane alkaloids and opium alkaloids, Pesticide residues, especially in supplements containing plant-based ingredients, Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/POSH and MOAH), Dioxins and PCBs, especially in supplements containing marine oils, Verification of the amount of active ingredients, such as vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids. Contact us for more information.

Microbiological quality is one of the most important quality assessments performed on food products, as microbiological hazards are among the biggest risk factors considering the general safety of food and feed. Failure to produce microbiologically acceptable products can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks, product recalls, and other costly control measures. In the EU, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological safety criteria for easily perishable food products. Some of the foods listed in the regulation include egg products, dairy, meat products, seafood, infant formula, and ready-to-eat precut fruit and vegetables. Micro-organisms for which limit values have been set include the following: Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Cronobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Presumptive Bacillus cereus. The microbiological criteria for feed are given in Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, which sets limits for Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae in animal-derived feed products. Microbiological quality can be evaluated further based on national regulations and guidances, such as those by the German DGHM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie) or the Finnish ETL (Elintarviketeollisuusliitto). Examples of parameters for which we offer testing include: Aerobic micro-organisms, Anaerobic micro-organisms, Aerobic spore-forming micro-organisms, Anaerobic spore-forming micro-organisms, Presumptive Bacillus cereus, Coliform bacteria, Thermotolerant coliform bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter spp., E. coli, Enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Yeasts and moulds, Coagulase-positive staphylococci, Lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Sulphite-reducing clostridia, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing clostridia, Osmotolerant yeasts, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g, Salmonella in 25 g, Salmonella in 125 g, Hepatitis A, Norovirus. The displayed price applies to the analysis of one microbiological parameter for one sample. The price per parameter per sample generally decreases when several parameters and/or larger sample batches are analyzed. Contact us through the form below for more information and a quote tailored to your product.

Accredited laboratory analysis according to the EN 1104 standard to determine the transfer of antimicrobial constituents from paper and board intended for food contact. Paper and board food contact materials must not release processing aids that have an antimicrobial effect on food. The requirement is outlined, for example, in German BfR Recommendation XXXVI.

This test is used to evaluate the color fastness of dyed or printed paper or board that is intended to come into contact with food. The applied simulants are Olive oil, 3% acetic acid, Alkaline salt solution (saliva simulant), Distilled water. Color transfer is assessed against a greyscale according to standard EN 646.

Specific migration of hexamethylene diisocyanate [CAS: 822-06-0] from a sample or material intended for food contact. The substance is listed under FCM 372 and Ref No. 18640 in European Commission Regulation No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials. The specific migration limit (SML) of hexamethylene diisocyanate is ND (not detected), which means migration must not be observed with a 0.01 mg/kg detection limit. Note that we also offer an isocyanate testing package for measuring the residual content of hexamethylene diisocyanate and three additional isocyanates.

UPLC-MS/MS analysis for determining the melatonin content in dietary supplements. According to Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, melatonin supplements may be marketed with the following health claims: "Melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of jet lag." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 0.5 mg of melatonin per portion., "Melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 1 mg of melatonin per portion..

Determination of starch in food with a spectrophotometric method.