Food testing strips: Difference between revisions
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'''Food testing strips''' are |
'''Food testing strips''' are products that help determine whether or not food contains bacteria that can cause [[foodborne illness]]. These products can typically be used on food, water, and hard surfaces, and are often designed for quick and easy home and commercial use. |
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==Categories== |
==Categories== |
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⚫ | One type of food testing strip is an assay enzyme reactant test. This test requires the food testing strip to be dipped into a blended mixture of food or test samples, distilled water and a reagent. These strips are designed specifically to detect those strains of ''[[Escherichia coli|E.coli]]'' and ''[[Salmonella]]'' that are harmful to humans. |
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A second type of food testing strip is a gram-negative swab, which is usually administered directly to the food itself. Gram-negative swabs generally work faster than enzyme reactant strips, but they differ in that the gram-negative swabs are designed to detect all pathogens, not just those that can cause foodborne illness in humans. |
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[[Image:Salmonella strip wiki.JPG|thumb|220px|left|Sample Salmonella Test Strip]][[Image: E-Coli_strip_wiki.JPG|thumb|220px||Sample E.coli Test Strip]] |
[[Image:Salmonella strip wiki.JPG|thumb|220px|left|Sample Salmonella Test Strip]][[Image: E-Coli_strip_wiki.JPG|thumb|220px||Sample E.coli Test Strip]] |
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==How They Work== |
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Enzyme reactant tests strips require that the food testing strip to be dipped into a blended mixture of food or test samples, distilled water and a reagent to gain a color change reactant should bacteria be present within an alloted time frame. The strips specifically look for those strains of bacteria of ''[[Escherichia coli|E.coli]]'' and ''[[Salmonella]]'' that are harmful to humans. |
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Gram Negative Reactant Swabs require that the swab be rubbed directly on any food or surface for about two minutes. A buffer solution is added to the swab. The swab is then set for 15 minutes for a color change. Any color change indicates that pathogens are present. |
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==How It Works== |
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==Reliability== |
==Reliability== |
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Both types of tests are highly reliable: either type of test will detect harmful pathogens approximately 95-98% of the time. |
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The reliability of both tests are relatively high with approximately 95-98 per cent, however, lab test must still bring final proof for the identification of the food borne bacteria in the laboratory. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
Revision as of 20:41, 3 October 2007
Food testing strips are products that help determine whether or not food contains bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. These products can typically be used on food, water, and hard surfaces, and are often designed for quick and easy home and commercial use.
Categories
Currently, there are two categories of food testing strips on the market.
One type of food testing strip is an assay enzyme reactant test. This test requires the food testing strip to be dipped into a blended mixture of food or test samples, distilled water and a reagent. These strips are designed specifically to detect those strains of E.coli and Salmonella that are harmful to humans.
A second type of food testing strip is a gram-negative swab, which is usually administered directly to the food itself. Gram-negative swabs generally work faster than enzyme reactant strips, but they differ in that the gram-negative swabs are designed to detect all pathogens, not just those that can cause foodborne illness in humans.
How They Work
The enzyme reactant test strips react when the buffer solution breaks the bacterial wall. This breach releases enzymes, which react upon contact to the enzyme test strips.
The gram-negative reactant activates when pathogens are present, causing the swab itself to change color.
Reliability
Both types of tests are highly reliable: either type of test will detect harmful pathogens approximately 95-98% of the time.
External links
References
- Olafsdotti, Sigridur and Olaffson, D.R. "02/15/05" United States Patent #6855332 Washington D.C. United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Zakrzewski, Z., et al., "The Effects of Adjuvants on the Physical Properties and Active-Substance Release from Oral Suspensions," Goldschmidt Informiert, 57:14-17 (1982).
- Lowenkamp, Bill “Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Salmonella/E.Coli Testing strips“ Hazleshurst, MS Lowenkamp Labs (2007)