Real-time Monitoring of TVC Using Non-invasive Bioluminescence Growth Media

Introduction: This study introduces a new technology from Hygiena, MicroSnap Surface Express, for the real time monitoring for non-specific viable bacteria from surfaces. The collected samples begin to produce light as they metabolise a new substrate, indicating by the emission of light per bacteria a new method to both enumerate and detect at low CFUs. CFU burden collected proved that the method can be used as a disaster test to indicate very rapidly if a heavy bioburden of viable bacteria was swabbed.

Purpose: To demonstrate performance of MicroSnap Surface Express Total in the field  as an easier and simpler method for detecting viable bacteria from environmental samples in a single, self-contained device.

Methods: 47 sites within a food plant were sampled. then split into 2 portions:  one portion was incubated with the real time viability growth media and the second portion  inoculated onto agars to count TVC. MicroSnap Surface Express  devices were incubated at 30C and measured for bioluminescence each hour for 12 hours. At 24 hours the TVC plates were counted and compared to each hour in the bioluminescent growth cycle.

Results: The results show that increasing bacteria from the surfaces produced detection in shorter incubation times. The detection was inversely proportional to the CFU, with shorter incubation periods of 1 to 5 hours detection in the first bin (>5000 CFU), as levels of bacteria swabbed decreased the time to result increased The following are mean time (n=5 to 10) for the following bins 1001 to 5000 CFU time to result <6 hours, 101 to 1000 time to result <7hours, 11 to 1000 <8 hours and <10 in 9 hours.

Significance: The new method equips food processors with an ultra-rapid tool for identifying viable bacteria as part of a sanitation monitoring program.