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Maintaining sterility in pharmaceutical manufacturing is never simple. While heat-based methods such as steam or dry sterilization are effective, they are not suitable for every product, as certain formulations could degrade or lose their therapeutic value. To address this, the industry relies on Media Fill Tests (MFTs). By replacing the product with a sterile nutrient medium, this simulation recreates the aseptic process under real conditions, providing solid evidence that the production line c …

In this edition of our Blog, we would like to focus on a key but often under-recognized aspect of microbiological control in the food industry: enrichment broths. Although traditionally associated with classical microbiology, their use is still essential even in many of the most modern alternative techniques, since pre-enrichment is a critical phase to ensure the recovery and detection of pathogens. It is well established that the enrichment step is especially critical in food safety, even more …

With the arrival of summer and the increase of tourism on our coasts, it is important to remember an old enemy in the field of microbiological safety:  Vibrio spp.   These gram-negative, halophilic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria are naturally present in salty and brackish coastal waters.  The genus Vibrio includes at least 12 species pathogenic to humans, eight of which are associated with foodborne infections. These include V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio …

Although the U.S. food supply is generally considered safe, tens of millions of Americans get sick from foodborne illness every year, and some die, according to estimates from the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One bacterium that is part of this group of foodborne pathogens, and perhaps the best known by the public, is E. coli, in its serotype O157:H7 also known as STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli)  What is STEC and …

Imagine a single contaminated batch of processed chicken generating hundreds of cases of salmonellosis across the country. This is not an isolated story: it happens every year in the U.S. and costs the food industry millions of dollars. Behind these outbreaks, Salmonella is the repeated name. Detecting it quickly, accurately, and inexpensively is more than an advantage: it is a necessity.  What should we know about Salmonella?  If we talk about food contamination, it is impossible to o …

When evaluating foodborne pathogens, focusing solely on disease incidence risks overlooking one of the most dangerous: Listeria monocytogenes. Despite affecting only about 1,600 people a year in the U.S., more than 94% require hospitalization. Even with proper treatment, its high mortality rate (20%-30%) makes Listeria monocytogenes the deadliest foodborne pathogen.    Given it's severity, Listeria spp is a major cause of food safety concern, often resulting in batch reca …

The simplest and most direct answer is that food provides an ideal environment for microorganisms to thrive. It contains the necessary nutrients and conditions for their development, and as we all know, their presence can pose serious health risks to consumers. According to the U.S. federal government, foodborne illnesses affect 48 million people annually in the U.S.—equivalent to 1 in 6 Americans—sometimes leading to severe, life-threatening conditions.  Microbiological Cont …

In the food industry, one of the main challenges lies in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms that can arise from inadequate cleaning and disinfection protocols. These microorganisms, as part of microbial structures known as biofilms, pose a significant threat to the contamination of end products and the production environment.  Within these biofilms, certain bacteria play a crucial role in food safety. Species such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudom …

Alpha Biosciences is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), which will take place from July 14-17, 2024. This prestigious event will be held at the Long Beach Convention Center and will bring together thousands of food safety professionals from around the world. The IAFP Annual Meeting is the foremost global conference in the field of food safety, renowned for its extensive and diverse program that addres …

It is really important that the population has access to contaminant-free drinking water to avoid gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. Pathogens analyzed in drinking water The main pathogens associated with water are bacteria such as Legionella, Salmonella, and E. coli, as well as some viruses and protozoa. Most of these contaminants are fecal in origin, but some are specific to their source or environment. Because a wide variety of microorganisms may be present, it is complex to analyze each …