Liofilchem® HACCP System Plus

HACCP-SYSTEM Plus is a microbiological testing tool developed by Liofilchem® for the determination of total microbial count and the presumptive identification of pathogenic microorganisms on work surfaces and equipment. This system is an efficient solution for food safety and hygiene monitoring in compliance with HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) protocols.

The system features 24 wells containing desiccated biochemical substrates and culture media. It provides results through simple colorimetric changes and allows microscopic examination for specific organisms. It is designed for industries requiring microbial contamination control, such as food processing, pharmaceutical production, and hospitality sectors.

Key Features

1. Comprehensive Testing
   • Determines total microbial contamination levels:
     • Low (4-50 CFU/cm²), Moderate (50-500 CFU/cm²), and High (>500 CFU/cm²) contamination.
   • Presumptive identification of:
     • Salmonella spp.
     • Citrobacter spp.
     • Proteus spp./Providencia spp.
     • Pseudomonas spp.
     • Escherichia coli
     • Listeria spp.
     • Staphylococcus aureus
     • Yeasts and molds
2. Dual Sample Design
   • Each system can test two independent samples, optimizing resources.
3. Rapid and Reliable Results
   • Incubation time: 18-24 hours at 36°C ± 1°C.
   • Simplifies microbiological analysis with colorimetric changes and minimal handling.
4. Compact and Easy-to-Use
   • Requires only a basic setup and provides detailed results without extensive microbiological expertise.
5. Supports Compliance with International Standards
   • Complements ISO 7218 and other food safety standards while enabling efficient monitoring of HACCP protocols.

Kit Contents

• 20 HACCP-SYSTEM Plus systems (40 tests)
• 40 vials of Inoculum Solution (5.0 mL/vial)
• 20 sealing films
• 1 Instruction sheet
• 1 Test Results Form

Additional items required but not included:

• Vaseline oil for microbiological use.
• Oxidase test sticks.
• Kovac’s reagent.
• Swab solution.
• Slides, cover slides, and a microscope.

Target Microorganisms and Identification Methods

The HACCP-SYSTEM Plus is designed to detect the following microorganisms:

1. Salmonella spp.

• Indicator wells:
  • LDC well: Color change from yellow to red.
  • H2S well: Yellow to black.
• Confirmation: Selective media, biochemical tests, and serological typing.

2. Citrobacter spp.

• Indicator wells:
  • LDC well: Yellow color.
  • H2S well: Yellow to black.

3. Proteus spp./Providencia spp.

• Indicator wells:
  • LDC well: Yellow color.
  • H2S well: Yellow to black.
  • PRO well: Yellow to brown-black for confirmation.

4. Pseudomonas spp.

• Indicator well:
  • PSE well: Yellow to turbid green.
• Confirmation: Oxidase test (OXIDASE TEST STICK, code 88029).

5. Escherichia coli

• Indicator wells:
  • ESC well: Red to blue.
  • IND well: Pink-red ring after Kovac’s reagent is added.

6. Listeria spp.

• Indicator well:
  • LIS well: Blackening.
• Confirmation: Selective media and serological tests.

7. Staphylococcus aureus

• Indicator well:
  • STA well: Black ring on the bottom.
• Confirmation: Coagulase test and selective media.

8. Yeasts and Molds

• Indicator well:
  • Y/M well: Green to yellow.
• Microscopic confirmation: Mycelial strands (hyphae) and chlamydospores.

Procedure Overview

Sample Preparation

1. Swab Sample: Immerse the swab in Inoculum Solution, wait 5 minutes, and homogenize.
2. Swab Solution Sample: Add 0.2 mL of sample to Inoculum Solution, shake, and let sit for 5 minutes.

Inoculation and Incubation

1. Add 0.2 mL of sample suspension to each well.
2. Cover specific wells (LDC and H2S) with Vaseline oil.
3. Cover the system and incubate at 36°C ± 1°C for 18-24 hours.

Result Interpretation

1. Observe color changes in wells and compare against reference in the Interpretive Table.
2. Perform Kovac’s reagent test on the IND well for E. coli.
3. Microscopic examination for yeasts and molds from Y/M well.

Interpretive Table

Quality Control

Liofilchem® ensures quality through rigorous testing of each batch using ATCC reference strains, including:

• Escherichia coli ATCC 25922
• Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028
• Proteus mirabilis ATCC 25933
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853
• Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 305152
• Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923

Comparison with Traditional Methods

Comparison with other brands

Applications

• Food Safety Monitoring
  Ideal for compliance with HACCP protocols in food production and processing facilities.
• Equipment and Surface Hygiene Checks
  Ensures cleanliness in kitchens, laboratories, and production areas.
• Quality Control
  Supports microbiological safety and quality standards in various industries.

Strengths

• Dual functionality for microbial load assessment and pathogen identification.
• Faster results compared to conventional methods.
• Compact and easy-to-use kit for field and laboratory settings.

Limitations

• Confirmatory testing required for regulatory compliance.
• Specificity depends on supplementary biochemical tests.

Liofilchem® HACCP-SYSTEM Plus offers an efficient, compact, and user-friendly solution for food safety and hygiene monitoring. It reduces testing time and complements traditional methods by streamlining the detection and identification of pathogens. The system's flexibility and reliability make it a valuable tool for ensuring compliance with international food safety standards.