Microorganism identification and characterisation

Microorganism identification and characterisation

To discuss your needs

Identification and characterisation of microorganisms is a key part of the management of food safety and quality, tracing contaminants and troubleshooting problems such as spoilage. Knowing how to identify bacteria or other unknown microorganisms that you have encountered can help to assess whether it poses a safety/spoilage concern or is likely to be heat resistant, for example.

Sometimes, however, you need to know more - including where a contaminant came from. Many organisms occupy a diverse range of habitats, and so the only way of knowing the origins of a particular contaminant is to identify/characterise it to a specific strain and then match that with a strain elsewhere in the environment or in a particular food ingredient.

Campden BRI is a world leader in this type of work, utilising state-of-the-art molecular (DNA-based) biochemical and phenotypic methods - picking those that best solve your problems. We can also offer back-up information as part of the service, such as details of possible sources of the problem organisms, or information about known food poisoning outbreaks.

Among the techniques we use are:

These are all in our Microbial identification and characterisation services brochure (5MB)

What do identification and characterisation entail?

Identification of microorganisms – provides the name of the organism (to genus or species level), which can help in determining whether it is a safety or spoilage concern or is likely to be heat resistant, for example.

Characterisation of microorganisms (typing) – this groups together organisms that share similar DNA fragment patterns or antigenic profiles, to assist with tracking or tracing contamination.

Key services

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

Environmental testing and prevention to help the food industry control SARS-CoV-2.

Microbiological analysis and testing

Microbiological analysis and testing

Covering pathogens, spoilage organisms, and indicator organisms

Microbiological specifications

Microbiological specifications

Pre-set criteria that are used to verify HACCP and good practices.

Contamination incidents

Contamination incidents

Situation analysis and establish why it occurred.

Microbiological shelf life

Microbiological shelf-life

Product safety, retaining sensory, microbiological and chemical characteristics.

Challenge testing

Challenge testing

A practical study to determine the behaviour of relevant organisms.

Predictive microbiology

Predictive microbiology

Computer simulation of the growth of microorganisms.

Shelf-life testing

Shelf-life testing

A complete service which can incorporate sensory and chemical analysis.

Microorganism identification

Microorganism identification

A key part of the management of food safety and quality

Rapid microbiological methods

Rapid microbiological methods

Advice on most suitable methods for use.

Microbiological methods evaluation

Microbiological methods evaluation

Evaluating microbiological methods, validation and interpretation.

Microbiological risk assessment

Microbiological risk assessment

Helping to guide clients through the complex evaluation process.

Laboratory design

Laboratory design

Expertise in issues relating to microbiology laboratories.

Processing to remove microorganisms

Processing to remove microorganisms

Advice on different heating regimes.

Heat resistance

Heat resistance

Determine whether the process you are using will be sufficient to achieve your aims.

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Foodborne viruses are a safety challenge for a range of foods.

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

Our newly upgraded Proficiency Scheme.

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Independent laboratory audit required by M&S/Tesco.

Where we refer to UKAS Accreditation

The Campden BRI group companies listed below are accredited in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO17025:2017 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The accreditation demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope of methods, specific to each site, as detailed in the schedules of accreditation bearing the testing laboratory number. The schedules may be revised from time to time and reissued by UKAS. The most recent issue of the schedules are available from the UKAS website www.ukas.com. Campden BRI (Chipping Campden) Limited is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 1079

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