At AEMTEK, we aid in the development process of new and innovative foods and beverages through the careful study of product performance and stability. We work closely with small to large scale businesses to design and perform shelf life testing customized for your unique needs.

Microbial challenge studies evaluate the ability of a food product to inactivate or inhibit the growth of specific microorganisms. Challenge studies monitor microbial growth, of an inoculated product, over time when held under typical, or intended, product storage conditions. This data helps to demonstrate if the product is able to withstand a contamination by potentially hazardous organisms.

AEMTEK offers customized challenge studies designed to meet the goals of each specific project. Our experienced Ph.D. microbiologists and mycologists will help guide you through the process in order to design a scientifically valid study for the product of interest. Examples of our expertise in inoculated challenge studies include the following microorganisms:

• Salmonella
• Listeria monocytogenes
• E. coli O157:H7
• Bacillus cereus
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Spoilage microorganisms, including Yeast & Mold and Lactic Acid Bacteria

The Problem

Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of finding bulging packages or spoiled food before the end of its expiration date? Were you left puzzled by the cause of the rapid spoilage? Did you need an immediate and practical action plan to correct the issue?

Believe it or not, premature food spoilage is a common problem that continues to trouble food manufacturers today. Some of the major factors include sanitation practice, ingredient quality, processing variability, and environmental monitoring. Examining these key components can help processors narrow down the cause of the spoilage and develop practical solutions.

At AEMTEK, we offer expert services in spoilage investigations and environmental monitoring strategy to help food and beverage industries take immediate corrective actions.

The Solution

Our seasoned team of microbiologists and mycologists at AEMTEK can support you through your toughest product spoilage challenges. We provide investigative solutions including:

• Microbiological testing and identification of the spoilage containment
• Environmental monitoring plan design and verification
• On-site facility assessments and sampling
• Air and environmental sampling for fungal spores and bacteria
• Technical consultation and corrective action plan development

Antimicrobial Efficacy Testing

AEMTEK offers an extensive line of laboratory testing and research services, including:

• Antimicrobial/antibiotic efficacy testing
• Microbial challenge testing
• Contract research for product development

Our experienced scientific team can adhere to standard procedures or develop specific methods according to your needs. We perform high quality testing following the procedures outlined by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, ASTM, NCCLS, AOAC, etc. Testing is conducted in adherence to rigid quality control requirements to provide you with reliable and reproducible data for optimizing your services and/or formulating your products.

Our laboratory is staffed with experienced Ph.D. microbiologists and mycologists and equipped with advanced instrumentation to ensure the generation of scientifically accurate data. AEMTEK follows a strict quality assurance program and participates in accreditation programs.

AEMTEK uses the most advanced equipment to test new products under diverse conditions, including temperature, substrates, potential for microbial degradation, and other microbial assessments that may be required for a specific product. Examples of products that AEMTEK has helped develop or test include:

• Industrial and household cleaning products
• Antimicrobial treatment products
• Health care products
• Biodegradable and compostable products
• Industrial filtration products and devices

AEMTEK performs evaluation of microbial sampling devices in accordance with product specifications or client requirements to determine validity of the device under diverse conditions. Microbial analysis is performed by our qualified mycologists or microbiologists. Testing procedures follow ASTM standard methods, or highly accurate custom methods developed by AEMTEK scientists, as required. Equipment that may be used to evaluate sampling devices includes compressor, nebulizer, aerosol chamber, walk-in environmental chamber and sampler.

AEMTEK is continually developing innovative technologies for the detection and analysis of microorganisms in a wide range of environments. Our current research interests include:

• Performance evaluation of various microbial detection and analysis methods
• Development of innovative microbial detection technologies for rapidly generating accurate, reliable data
• Fast and sensitive microbial monitoring using modern technologies
• Microbial tracing in different environments
• Reliable and affordable methods for differentiating human and animal sewage contamination

AEMTEK’s scientists are experienced in molecular research techniques for the detection and enumeration of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including:

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis
• Quantitative PCR
• DNA fingerprinting
• DNA sequencing
• ELISA

Microbiology contamination of food and pharmaceutical products poses serious risk to public health and causes major product recalls and economic losses. Effective management of microbial contamination demands rapid microbial detection method. Aemtek is conducting research in media enrichment and assay development to empower rapid testing of pathogens.