At our laboratory, we follow strict protocols for microbiological testing to ensure accurate and reliable results.
Below are the methods for various microbiological tests conducted in our lab:
| Test | Scope | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| EN ISO 11290-1:2018 - Microbiology of the food chain – Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. - Part 1: Detection method | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. | Detecting Listeria monocytogenes helps prevent severe foodborne illness and ensures compliance with health regulations. |
| EN ISO 6579-1:2017 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for detection of Salmonella spp | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. | Salmonella is a major cause of food poisoning. Detection helps prevent outbreaks and ensures public health. |
| EN ISO 4833-1:2013 - Microbiology of the food chain – Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms - Part 1: Colony count at 30 degrees C by the pour plate technique | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling and surfaces from carcasses. | Provides an estimate of the total microbial load, indicating overall hygiene and potential spoilage. |
| ISO 16649-2:2008 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of beta-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli - Part 2: Colony-count technique at 44 degrees C using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-glucuronide | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. | Detects E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination and potential presence of pathogens. |
| ISO 4832:2006 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of coliforms - Colony-count technique | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. | Coliforms are indicators of sanitary quality and potential contamination. |
| EN ISO 6888-1:2022 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus and other species) - Part 1: Technique using Baird-Parker agar medium | Food and animal feed. | Identifies Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of food poisoning. |
| EN ISO 10272-1:2017 A1:2023 - Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal method for detection and enumeration of Campylobacter spp. - Part 1: Detection method | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food and feed production and food handling. | Campylobacter is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. Detection helps ensure food safety. |
| EN ISO 7932:2010 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of presumptive Bacillus cereus - Colony-count technique at 30 °C | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food and feed production and food handling. | Bacillus cereus can cause foodborne illness. Monitoring helps prevent contamination. |
| EN ISO 15213-1:2023 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens - Colony-count technique | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food and feed production and food handling. | Clostridium perfringens is a common cause of food poisoning. Detection ensures food safety. |
| EN ISO 21528-2:2017 - Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae - Part 2: Colony-count technique | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling and surfaces from carcasses. | Enterobacteriaceae are indicators of hygiene and potential contamination. |
| ISO 21527-1:2008 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds - Part 1: Colony count technique in products with water activity greater than 0,95 | Food and animal feed. | Yeasts and molds can spoil food and produce toxins. Enumeration helps maintain quality. |
| ISO 21527-2:2008 - Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Horizontal method for the enumeration of yeasts and moulds - Part 2: Colony count technique in products with water activity less than 0,95 | Food and animal feed. | Yeasts and molds can spoil food and produce toxins. Enumeration helps maintain quality. |
| EN ISO 10273:2018 - Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal method for the detection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica | Food and animal feed, and environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. | Yersinia enterocolitica can cause foodborne illness. Detection is crucial for food safety. |
| EN ISO 18593:2019 - Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal methods and techniques for surface application using contact plates and swabs. | Swabs from working surfaces. | Ensures surfaces are free from contamination, maintaining hygiene standards. |
| EN ISO 16266:2009 - Water Quality - Detection and Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa—Method by Membrane Filtration. | All types of water. | Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen. Detection ensures water safety. |
| EN ISO 6222:2009 - Water quality - Enumeration of culturable micro-organisms - Colony count by inoculation in a nutrient agar culture medium | All types of water. | Indicates overall microbial quality of water. |
| EN ISO 9308-1:2015/A1:2016 - Water quality - Enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria - Part 1: Membrane filtration method for waters with low bacterial background flora | All types of water. | E. coli and coliforms indicate fecal contamination, crucial for assessing water safety. |
| EN ISO 7899-2:2009 - Water quality – Detection and enumeration of intestinal enterococci - Part 2: Membrane filtration method | All types of water. | Enterococci are indicators of fecal contamination, important for water quality assessment. |