BioMérieux, a supplier of diagnostic systems, said that its new Vidas UP
phage recombinant protein is developed by German group Profos AG to be highly
sensitive towards Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Bacteriophages are viruses that target bacteria, rather than human, plant
or animal cells. They use adhesion structures to bind to their bacterial hosts.
0157: H7.
Suitable for testing
Reports state that the bacteriophage is suitable for testing meat samples
and is the latest addition to the Vidas line.
Due to the increasing regulatory highlights placed on food safety in plants
and because of the cost of recalls, this has urged food companies to seek faster
ways of detecting pathogens.
"Vidas UP offers faster and more precise detection of E. coli 0157: H7 than
molecular methods, delivering test results within seven hours, and is capable of
analysing sample sizes up to 375 grams," said a company spokesperson.
