Neogen’s rapid Soleris® test for E. coli receives AOAC approval

LANSING, Mich., Oct. 31, 2011 — Neogen Corporation has received approval from the AOAC Research Institute for its rapid and accurate test for E. coli.

Neogen’s newly approved Soleris® test (Performance Tested MethodSM certification, No. 101101, from the AOAC Research Institute) detects E. coli in as little as 7 hours, and 24 hours to a negative result. Conventional methods can take up to 4 days. The Soleris system is a rapid optical method for the real-time detection of microbial contamination based on an innovative application of classic microbiology. The optical assay measures microbial growth by monitoring gas production, pH, and other biochemical reactions that generate a color change as microorganisms grow and metabolize.

“Each time we receive a validation from an influential third party on any of our tests, it provides further assurance to our many customers that our tests perform as expected. We expect no less, and neither should our customers,” said Ed Bradley, Neogen’s vice president for Food Safety. “The Soleris E. coli test was shown to produce rapid and accurate results—allowing for significantly quicker product releases that improve profitability. Soleris provides unrivalled labor and sample handling efficiency, and easy and intuitive microbial detection.”

The results of a rigorous validation study clearly indicate that the Soleris E. coli method can be used for rapid and accurate detection ofE. coli in a variety of food commodities. The performance of the Soleris E. coli method was comparable to that of the reference procedures for the detection of E. coli, using both presence/absence in 25 grams and dilute-to-specification protocols. The Soleris test offers a significant time saving up to 3 days over the reference procedure, while also reducing the amount of technician labor required.

Standard methods for detection or enumeration of coliform bacteria and E. coli in foods are based on direct plating, filtration, or most probable number (MPN) approaches. These methods require up to 4 days before a sample can be declared negative, and longer when confirmation of presumptive positive results is required. The Soleris system, through use of selective culture media and sensitive determination of metabolic activity during bacteria growth, produces test results within 24 hours, and alerts users of contamination in as soon as 7 hours.

Using the Soleris system enables operators to easily identify, monitor, and map problematic spots in their facilities. The Soleris system features the quickest automated quality indicator system protocols. Soleris tests provide:

• Yeast and mold results in 48 hours; conventional methods take up to 5 days
• Total viable count (TVC) results in as little as 6-8 hours; conventional methods take 24-48 hours
• Coliform results in 9-10 hours; conventional methods take 24 hours
• Lactic bacteria results in 30-35 hours; conventional methods take 3-5 days

Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s Food Safety Division markets diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases, and sanitation concerns, and dehydrated culture media.