Food safetyInnovative molecular detection system spots foodborne pathogens

St. Paul, Minnesota-based 3M says that after decades of transforming the food processing industry with 3M Petrifilm Plates, it is again introducing an innovation into the industry – this time in the area of pathogen detection. The other day, 3M Food Safety introduced the 3M Molecular Detection System, a method of detecting dangerous pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Listeria, that can shut down businesses and threaten public health.

The Molecular Detection System is based on a combination of technologies involving isothermal DNA amplification and bioluminescence detection.

“Leveraging 3M’s record of innovation, including close collaboration with our customers, we believe we’ve found a transformational solution that makes for a faster and simpler way of accurately detecting pathogens,” said Francine Savage, vice president and general manager, 3M Food Safety. “Just as 3M Petrifilm Plates succeeded by melding sophistication with simplicity, the 3M Molecular Detection System optimizes technicians’ time and productivity, improving bottom lines, protecting brands and ensuring public health.”

The 3M Molecular Detection System targets and amplifies nucleic acid in enriched samples. The technology has been evaluated with a variety of food types, including produce, meats, processed foods, pet food, and food processing-related environmental samples. The company notes that instrument is sleek and compact – taking up less counter space than a laptop computer.

The company says that as part of the its Molecular Detection System platform, individual, pathogen-specific assays, or procedural tests, will be sold as a test kits. Each assay test kit uses the same software interface and same DNA extraction protocol for testing between one and ninety-six samples per run. Assays for Salmonella, E. coli O157 (including H7), and Listeria are available immediately; a test for Listeria monocytogenes is expected in early 2012. The company says it will continue to invest in developing a full portfolio of pathogen testing solutions to address customer needs.

“In our evaluation of the Listeria species assay, we liked the small footprint of the system as well as the quick delivery of results after sample enrichment,” said Dr. Martin Wiedmann, a professor in Cornell University’s Department of Food Science who studied the system’s analyses of samples taken from meat-packing, seafood processing and retail locations. “This system definitely illustrates the potential of isothermal methods for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens.”