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Detection and enumeration of enterococci in water

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TOES20240528014
Term of Validity
28 May 2024 - 28 May 2025
Company's Country
  • Spain
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A Spanish technology center offers an innovative technology for detecting and enumerating total enterococci in potable water. It utilizes defined substrate technology (DST) with ortho-nitrophenyl-ß-D-glucoside as an indicator nutrient. Positive detection is indicated by a colour change from blue to green, providing rapid results within 24 hours.
The center is looking for commercial agreements with technical assistance.
Full Description
The Spanish technology center is based in Palencia, Spain and works in the field of food quality testing, with over 25 years of experience. The center develops innovative technologies for food production and quality control.

The technology addresses the need for rapid detection of total enterococci in drinking water. Traditional methods are slow and complex, while state-of-the-art technologies like culture-based and molecular techniques may require specialized equipment and training. However, they may not always provide timely results for public health protection.

The technology propose for the Spanish center is a groundbreaking technology for detecting and enumerating total enterococci in drinking water using ortho-nitrophenyl-ß-D-glucoside as an indicator nutrient. Positive detection occurs within 24 hours through a colour change from blue to green. Packaged in granulated form in individual ampoules, it's easy to use, requiring no ultraviolet light exposure for detection.

The main innovation is its rapid detection, providing results within 24 hours compared to traditional methods. Its simplicity and straightforward results interpretation make it suitable for both lab and field use. The technology streamlines enterococci detection in potable water, offering a reliable solution for ensuring water safety.

The technical specifications for the technology primarily include:
1. Performance: Expertise in microbiological testing methodologies and water quality analysis to ensure accurate and reliable detection of total enterococci in potable water samples.
2. Ease of use: Knowledge and experience in implementing testing procedures and protocols to facilitate the straightforward and user-friendly operation of the technology system.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Ability to optimize resource utilization and minimize operational costs associated with sample preparation, testing, and analysis while maintaining high-quality results.
4. Quality assurance: Proficiency in quality control measures to uphold the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of the technology test results, adhering to regulatory standards and guidelines.
5. Intellectual Property requirements: Understanding of any relevant patents or proprietary technology and compliance with intellectual property regulations.
6. Stage of development: Collaboration at various stages of development, including implementation, validation, and ongoing improvement, to enhance the performance and applicability of the technology for diverse water quality monitoring needs.

The Spanish technology center seeks international collaboration with regulatory agencies, water utilities, and research institutions to enhance global water quality monitoring and public health protection. This partnership aims to leverage diverse expertise and resources to address waterborne pathogen challenges effectively. Desired outcomes include knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint research initiatives to advance water testing technologies and improve global water management practices. This collaboration will involve collaborative projects, technology transfer programs, and training workshops to strengthen international water quality monitoring and surveillance systems.
Advantages and Innovations
The technology offers several advantages and innovations compared to competing products on the market. Firstly, its rapid detection capability, providing results within 24 hours, sets it apart from traditional methods that may take several days to produce results.

This quick turnaround time is crucial for timely decision-making and public health protection. Additionally, the technology is user-friendly, requiring minimal training and equipment, making it accessible for both laboratory and field applications.

Its patented Defined Substrate Technology (DST) ensures reliable and accurate detection of total enterococci in potable water samples, enhancing confidence in the results obtained. Moreover, the technology eliminates the need for ultraviolet light exposure for detection, simplifying the testing process further.

Overall, the technology's combination of rapid detection, ease of use, and reliability makes it a superior choice for water quality monitoring compared to existing products on the market.
Stage of Development
  • Already on the market
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The partner organization sought should preferably be a research institution, laboratory, or environmental consultancy with expertise in microbiology, water quality analysis, or related fields. Additionally, organizations involved in public health or regulatory agencies could also be suitable partners.

The partner will be expected to collaborate closely in several key areas:

1. Validation and verification: Conducting independent validation studies to assess the performance, accuracy, and reliability of the technology in detecting total enterococci in potable water samples. This includes comparing results obtained using the technology with established reference methods to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

2. Method optimization: Contributing expertise in refining testing protocols and procedures to optimize the efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity of the technology for water quality monitoring applications. This may involve exploring different sample preparation techniques, incubation conditions, or data analysis methods to enhance overall performance.

3. Training and capacity building: Providing training and technical support to end-users, including laboratory technicians, environmental health professionals, and water quality managers, to ensure proper implementation and utilization of the technology. This includes developing training materials, conducting workshops, and offering ongoing assistance to address any technical challenges or questions.

4. Regulatory compliance: Assisting in navigating regulatory requirements and obtaining necessary certifications or approvals for the use of the technology in water quality testing and monitoring programs. This may involve providing expertise in regulatory affairs, preparing documentation, and liaising with relevant authorities to facilitate market authorization.

5. Research collaboration: Exploring opportunities for collaborative research projects to further advance the understanding of enterococci contamination in water sources, assess emerging threats, and develop innovative solutions for waterborne disease prevention and control.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME 11-49
  • Big company
  • University
  • SME 50 - 249
  • R&D Institution
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 08001005 - Food Technology
  • 08001002 - Food Additives/Ingredients/Functional Food
  • 08003 - Micro- and Nanotechnology related to agrofood
  • 08002002 - Food Microbiology / Toxicology / Quality Control
  • 08002001 - Detection and Analysis methods
Market keywords
  • 09005 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry & Related Products
  • 05008002 - Food and feed ingredients
  • 05009001 - Food & feed ingredients
  • 05009004 - Plant health
Targeted countries
  • All countries