The validation of the Qualicon ABAX® system for use as an accredited rapid method for the detection
- Project start date: 1 April 2002
- Project status: Completed
- Discipline: Microbiology and food hygiene
- Author/s: Mr Noel Shanaghy, Waterford Public Health Laboratory
- Collaborator/s: Ms Helen Cowman, Cork Food Microbiology Laboratory
Research objective
The objective of this project was to evaluate and gain acceptance for the ABAX® system as an accredited method for detecting Salmonella and Listeria in food control laboratories.
The ABAX® system employs PCR amplification technology, which significantly accelerates pathogen detection compared to conventional methods, thus enhancing sample throughput and reducing turnaround times for results. The project aimed to demonstrate that the ABAX® system performs equivalently to traditional testing methods, thereby justifying its use as an accredited alternative for both Salmonella and Listeria testing. Another key objective was to secure approval from the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) for the ABAX® system’s accreditation, ensuring its formal recognition and adoption in official food control laboratories. This would address the challenge of workload capacity in food microbiology labs by providing a more efficient, rapid testing option while maintaining high accuracy and reliability.
Outputs
Research report
- Title: Unpublished report
- Publication date: 1 September 2004
