Eppendorf creates solutions for food analysis

The increasing globalization of food manufacture and trade, more stringent legal regulations and guidelines as well as time and price pressure are characteristic of the current developments in the food industry.

These trends represent a new challenge for food inspection, as product and consumer safety has first priority for manufacturers and trade. However, the classical test methods of food analysis are reaching their limits as they are often very time-consuming. For this reason, new technologies are increasingly used in food analysis which were originally developed for molecular biology research.

Similar to the way this happened in criminal technology years ago, DNA-based methods of food analysis offer new options. They enable a quick and highly accurate proof of the smallest amounts of biological material. This is important, for instance, when testing for pathogenic microorganisms such as salmonella and lysteria, but also for the detection of allergens or genetically modified food components.

Due to the increase in target sequences to be tested, e.g. for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and animal feed, parallelized test methods are increasingly gaining in importance. With its DualChip® GMO microarray, Eppendorf are offering a solution which makes it possible to examine an existing specimen for a large number of GMOs within a test. This will prevent costly and time-consuming individual tests and a genuine "screening for GMOs authorized/not authorized by the EU.

By selecting GMO-specific sequences and plant-specific sequences on the array, combinations can be detected which indicate the existence of certain GMOs. The DualChip GMO kit was successfully validated in 2007, in a ring study within a European research project in cooperation with the EU Joint Research Centre as the first microarray-based test method for the detection of GMOs. After initial successes with the DualChip GMO kit, Eppendorf will be launching an extended version of the kit in spring 2008 which will provide an even wider selection of screening elements.

As one of the fastest DNA detection methods, the quantitative real-time PCR will be used in food analysis. The cascade-type, repeated copying of DNA segments will be tracked in real time by measuring the fluorescent light signals.

With the Mastercycler ep realplex Eppendorf have developed a real-time PCR device which is ideally suited to the requirements of modern food analysis. Analysis times of under 30 minutes can be achieved with this device. Classical detection methods require several days for comparable tests, whereas conventional real-time PCR devices require approx. 2 hours.

For food analysis, fast, real-time PCR offers a number of significant advantages. Contaminating pathogens can be detected in time during the production process, best before dates for food items are extended, the release of product batches is speeded up, storage costs and periods can be reduced.

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