Q Laboratories served as the expert laboratory on two studies resulting in AOAC approval of methods recently named Methods of the Year by the AOAC International Official Methods Board.  The studies, commissioned by Bruker Corporation, demonstrated proficiency of AOAC Official Method 2017.09 Confirmation and Identification of Salmonella species, Cronobacter species, and Other Gram-Negative Organisms Bruker MALDI Biotyper Method First Action 2017 and AOAC Official Method 2017.10 Confirmation and Identification of Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria species, and Other Gram-Positive Organisms Bruker MALDI Biotyper Method First Action 2017.

Wesley Thompson, Daniel Barket and Benjamin Bastin, microbiologists at Q Laboratories with their MALDI Biotyper systems (PRNewsfoto/ Bruker Corporation)

The Methods utilize cutting-edge matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) technology to create a proteomic fingerprint, introducing a new, faster, more accurate method of confirming presumptive positive pathogen results on food and environmental samples.

Q Laboratories contracted with the Bruker Daltonik GmbH team in Bremen, Germany to perform the studies following protocols that complied with both AOAC guidelines and the new ISO/DIS 16140-6 draft standard for validation of identification/confirmation methods. The studies established the methods as AOAC Official Methods of Analysis (OMA), the gold standard for food microbiology method certification in North America. Q Laboratories is currently the only North America-based laboratory that is approved as an expert laboratory by the three primary certification bodies in North America and Europe: AOAC International, AFNOR and MicroVal.

The Bruker methods will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony at the 132nd AOAC International Annual Meeting and Exposition in Toronto on Monday, August 27. Representatives from both Bruker Corporation and Q Laboratories will be present to accept the award.