TOXIN TESTING
Microbiological agents are capable of producing toxins that cause severe foodborne illness. Deibel Laboratories has the expertise to detect a variety of toxins in food products.
Testing and handling of many bacterial toxins requires sophisticated laboratory quality controls, including CDC / APHIS Select Agent Accreditation. Deibel Laboratories has Select Agent approval for toxin studies.
Clostridium botulinum Toxin Testing:
Although the incidence of C. botulinum toxin clinical cases is quite rare, the effects of exposure to the toxin can be devastating. Clostridium botulinum forms a pre-formed toxin, and ingestion of this toxin has a paralytic effect on the body’s nervous system. In severe cases, the “bot toxin” destroys the nervous tissue of the body diaphragm, resulting in death due to asphyxia.
Bacillus cereus Toxins (Emetic and Diarrheal):
The organism can be readily found in almost any food type and plant environment, especially those from raw agricultural products including milk, rice, grains, soy, and vegetables. Capable strains can produce one or both of two different toxins and their modes of intoxication are quite different. What is common about both types is that they may be produced before there is visible spoilage of the product.
Bacillus cereus, as a food borne agent, has been associated with outbreaks involving foods high in carbohydrates such as rice and grains. Bacillus cereus spores are also found in milk and dried dairy products, chicken, and other foods.
Other types of toxin tests:
STAPHYLOCCAL ENTEROTOXINS
E. COLI O157:H7 TOXINS
MYCOTOXINS
