APPLICATION OF FLOW-CYTOMETRY TO RAPID MICROBIAL ANALYSIS IN FOOD ANDDRINKS INDUSTRIES

In food and drinks industries, the time required for conventional test s can lead to substantial delays in product release to the market. Flo w cytometry (FCM) has been used in conjunction with viability markers for rapid counting of yeast, mould and bacterial cells in food product s. A single-parameter flow cytometer has proved applicable to the rapi d detection of low numbers of microbial contaminants in finished produ cts. The excellent correlation between FCM results and product quality shelf-life expiry date has allowed the establishment of realistic qua lity control criteria for rapid positive release of product. Used for the monitoring of microbial biomass during manufacturing processes, fl ow cytometry allowed a direct assessment of bacterial growth. The repr oducibility of the results and the proven correlation with standard pl ate count method obtained in industrial conditions make FCM a good pre dictive method for product and process quality control.