Biofilm detection spray The presence of biofilms on surfaces within food and beverage processing areas is a serious potential cause of contamination of the final product. Biofilms can be caused by bacteria including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus. Itram Higiene has developed BioFinder,
TESTING
a biofilm detection spray for the detection of biofilms in open surfaces. The spray, available from Wells, reacts in the presence of biofilms so the user can visually identify if biofilm exists. WR&D Wells Pty Ltd www.wrdwells.com
Protein determination according to Dumas In Vitro Technologies now has available Buchi’s expanded product portfolio that includes Dumas technology. The company says it is the only provider of all three key technologies - Kjeldahl, Dumas and NIR. The Buchi DuMaster D-480 analyser utilises the Dumas method, which is mainly used in the food, beverage, feed and agriculture industries for the determination of protein in food/feedstuffs or total nitrogen in fertilisers or soils.
Consistometer Consistency of a sample is measured by its resistance to flow under specific conditions for a specified time. Arrow Scientific has available the Bostwick Consistometer, which is suitable for measur-
Dumas technology can be applied to almost all Kjeldahl
ing the consistency
applications including: production and quality control in the
and flow rate for a
food/beverage and feed industry; universities and research
wide range of vis-
laboratories; private or public testing laboratories.
cous materials such
The DuMaster D-480 analyser is supplied ready to use
as sauces, salad
including operating software and 60-position auto sampler.
dressings, paints,
Unattended operation with random access allows samples
chemicals and cos-
to be loaded at any time.
metics.
The device features a reduced operational cost as the
The consistome-
system uses CO2 as carrier gas instead of helium, 95% less oxygen consumption and 3x higher reduction capacity of tungsten (as opposed to competitive Dumas instruments which use copper as reducing agent). The unattended and fast operation lowers operating cost per sample. Other key features include: short analysis time; an option to increase sample throughput up to 120 samples; highest sample throughput without supervision. The device is safe and convenient, with samples able to be loaded at any time (random access vs batch processing); low-voltage furnace; suitable for flexible evaluation of samples. There is no contact with harmful chemicals and the
ter is manufactured from stainless steel, making it suitable for heavy-duty use. The device complies with the procedures established in Mil Spec R-81294D and ASTM F1080-93. It is a long trough with 0.5 cm graduations along the bottom. The trough is separated near one end by a spring-loaded gate. This forms a chamber where the sample is loaded. To perform a test using the consistometer, the operator pours the sample into the loading area of the trough. The sample is filled and levelled off to the top of the gate. The gate is then opened and the timer started concurrently. At a predetermined time, the position of the sample in the trough is recorded.
Dumas method is compliant with AOAC, ISO, DIN and
Arrow Scientific
other authorities.
www.arrowscientific.com.au
In Vitro Technologies Pty Ltd www.invitro.com.au
www.foodprocessing.com.au
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