Microbiology panels
Plate counts for the numbers, qPCR for the pathogens. Enumeration tells you how heavily a product is loaded; species-specific qPCR answers whether a particular organism is present, which is the question a recall turns on.
- Pricing
- View current pricing
- Turnaround
- 5–7 business days, 7–10 with enrichment
- Family
- Analyte panel
Select the sample and assay scope in the current intake for an itemized total.
- Incubated plates
- Thermal cycler
Purchased new through authorised channels, performance-qualified by certified engineers, and the instrument ID prints on every certificate. View the bench.
What the panel measures
| Test | Method | Instrument | Reports as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total aerobic microbial count | MethodUSP <61>, plate count | InstrumentIncubated plates | Reports asCFU/g |
| Total yeast and mould | MethodUSP <61>, plate count | InstrumentIncubated plates | Reports asCFU/g |
| Salmonella species | MethodqPCR after enrichment | InstrumentThermal cycler | Reports asDetected or not detected in 25 g |
| E. coli and STEC | MethodqPCR, Shiga toxin genes | InstrumentThermal cycler | Reports asDetected or not detected |
| Aspergillus species | MethodqPCR: flavus, fumigatus, niger, terreus | InstrumentThermal cycler | Reports asDetected or not detected, by species |
| Bile-tolerant Gram negatives | MethodUSP <62> | InstrumentIncubated plates | Reports asCFU/g |
| Staphylococcus aureus | MethodUSP <62> | InstrumentIncubated plates | Reports asDetected or not detected |
Sample requirements and shipping
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Flower or botanical | Requirement5 g sealed, handled cleanly |
| Powder or capsule | Requirement10 g or 20 capsules |
| Edible, topical or beverage | Requirement3 retail units, unopened |
| Condition | RequirementShip promptly and cool where possible. A warm sample in transit grows, and the count you get is partly the courier’s. |
Order first, then ship. A prepaid label is emailed when payment lands, and the carrier scan on that label opens your chain of custody. We accept no walk-in drop-off, and we hold no DEA registration, so no Schedule I to V material.
Why the method matters
Plate count and qPCR answer different questions. A low total count does not mean Aspergillus is absent, and a qPCR detection does not tell you the load. Running both is the only way to get a defensible picture of a batch.
Aspergillus is reported by species because the four that matter behave differently and most limits name them individually. A generic mould count cannot substitute for that.
What comes back
A public certificate
Every result, the method, the instrument ID, the LOD and LOQ and the signature, verifiable by accession number with no login.
The filmed route
Your package opened on camera, a photograph of each container, and the footage retained for three years. Released to you on request.
A retained sample
Held 90 days, so any result can be rechecked by us or by an accredited laboratory of your choosing.
Questions about microbiology panels
Why do pathogen tests take longer?
Enrichment. Salmonella and STEC need an incubation step before detection so that a low-level contaminant is not missed, which adds two to three days.
Does qPCR detect dead organisms?
It detects DNA, which can persist after an organism dies, so a detection on an irradiated product may reflect past contamination. We note when that is a plausible explanation rather than leaving you to guess.
What limits do you report against?
USP <61>/<62> limits by product category as standard. Tell us if a state or customer specification applies and we report against that instead, naming it on the certificate.
Can you test after remediation?
Yes, and we recommend it. Send pre- and post-treatment samples together and the certificate shows both, which is what a buyer asks for.
Submit a sample
Order in the builder, pay, and a prepaid label is emailed to you. The certificate publishes to the database the moment it is signed.