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Rapid analysis of Salmonella in food using the ELFA technique (enzyme linked fluorescent assay)

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TOES20240315006
Term of Validity
15 March 2024 - 15 March 2026
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 research center offers a rapid analysis of Salmonella in food using enzyme linked fluorescent assay technique.
Full Description
The Spanish technology center, founded in 1998, is focusing in agrifood sector, in special, in research and analysis of cereals.

Salmonella is one of the main agents causing foodborne illnesses. Detection through complex protocols can take over 5 days to confirm a negative sample. Screening techniques based on enzyme immunoassays (EIA) simplify and expedite its detection.

Salmonella is a genus of antigenically complex bacteria with over 2400 serotypes.
VIDAS UP Salmonella is an enzyme immunoassay performed with VIDAS equipment to detect salmonella receptors using the ELFA technique (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay), which is a fluorescence-linked enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) technique. It utilizes innovative technology based on recombinant phage proteins, enabling the detection of both mobile and non-mobile strains of Salmonella.

The immunoassay analysis follows a 21 ± 3-hour enrichment phase in "buffered peptone water + Salmonella supplement." The sample is transferred to a cartridge containing the test reagents and subjected to a thermal treatment at 131 ºC for 5 ± 1 minute.

It is then inserted into the VIDAS equipment, which automatically performs the analysis: the sample in the cartridge is pipetted several times. The pipetting device is a cone, the interior of which is coated with proteins specific to salmonella receptors. The assay also involves a fluorescent substrate, and its fluorescence is measured at 450 nm.

At the end of the test, the instrument automatically analyzes the results and generates a value for each sample. This value is compared to a set of stored standards (thresholds), and each result is interpreted (positive, negative).

If the result is negative, it can be reported as "not detected/quantity of sample analyzed. If the result is positive, further confirmation tests are necessary.

The technology center is looking for commercial agreement with technical assistance with companies working in food field.
Advantages and Innovations
The offered analysis method presents three significant advantages over the standardized method: speed, simplicity, and minimization of waste.

1. Speed: The Salmonella analysis, following the protocol outlined in ISO 6579-1 "Microbiology of the food chain – Horizontal method for the detection, enumeration, and serotyping of Salmonella. Part 1: Detection of Salmonella spp," involves multiple phases to obtain a result:
- Pre-enrichment phase of the sample for 18 ± 2 hours
- Enrichment phase in two culture broths for 24 ± 3 hours
- Isolation on selective media for 24 ± 3 hours
With both methods, in the absence of Salmonella, the result cannot be obtained until at least 3 days have passed. The method offered allows for a negative result in 24 hours for most samples, which do not contain Salmonella.

2. Simplicity: The offered method requires only one enrichment phase, after which a SPT cartridge is inoculated and inserted into the VIDAS equipment for immunoassay analysis. The ISO standard requires the preparation and seeding of various culture media for different assay phases, making the associated work more complex and time-consuming.

3. Waste: Seeding in each liquid and solid culture medium generates waste and increases the use of disposable plastic materials such as sterile bags, Petri dishes, and inoculation loops. The offered analysis method significantly reduces waste generation compared to other methods, not only those specified in the ISO standard.
Stage of Development
  • Already on the market
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
IPR status
  • No IPR applied

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
This analysis technique is suitable for any company or industry involved in the field of human food that requires Salmonella analysis and needs a fast result.
Type and Size of Partner
  • R&D Institution
  • SME <=10
  • University
  • SME 50 - 249
  • SME 11-49
Type of partnership
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

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