Listeria detection system certification
DuPont Qualicon's BAX system for detecting listeria has been certified by the AOAC Research Institute (RI) of Gaithersburg, MD.
The BAX detection system is an innovative DNA-based technology for screening raw ingredients, finished products and environmental samples for pathogens or other organisms. It provides polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, listeria species, E. coli O157:H7 and enterobacter sakazakii. Validation studies compared BAX system performance with the standard culture method used by the USDA food safety and inspection service, which requires a 48-hour dual enrichment and manual plating. AOAC-RI found that the automated BAX system performed as well as the culture method for detecting listeria species on environmental surfaces such as plastic, ceramic, rubber, concrete, wood, cast iron and air filter material. Moreover, proprietary BAX system media combines a single enrichment step with shorter incubation times, making results available about 30-33 hours after sampling. DuPont Qualicon also markets the patented RiboPrinter system, the world's only automated DNA fingerprinting instrument to track and trend bacterial contamination in pharmaceuticals, personal care products and food.