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Listen to this siteFriday 8 October 2004
This research project aims to develop an analytical method for the official control of probiotics (micro-organisms) in animal feedingstuffs.
Study Duration : January 1998 to April 2002
Contractor : Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
Council Directive 70/524/EEC concerning additives in feeds regulates the use of probiotic micro-organisms in animal feedingstuffs. At the outset of the project, some 11 genera of bacteria, three yeast and one mould were approved for temporary use within specified Member States, according to the Official Journal of the European Communities (11.9.96 No C263/3).
The project aims to collaborate with partners within the EU. The aim is to develop and validate methods for enumeration and identification of authorised probiotics at strain level in feedingstuffs. Specifically the work in the UK aims to cover identification and enumeration of authorised yeasts in a range of different animal feeds. It will also present the precision data derived from collaborative validation studies for enumeration methods for Bacillus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Pediococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. and a PCR method for Bacillus spp.
Each partner in the project was given responsibility for specified species of organisms. Each was charged with assessing available isolation/identification and enumeration methods, and developing and improving where necessary to ensure robust procedures were available at species level. Partners were further required to develop molecular biology methods for identification at strain level. Validation of the methods using feed samples was carried out in three separate exercises involving from 17 to 21 participants in each instance. Molecular biology methods for typing focussed on PFGE and PCR as the preferred methods. Ring-testing was undertaken by partners (and a limited number of specialised reference laboratories) by analysing blind samples containing authorised strains.
The methods that were developed within the framework of this project were to enable the official control of probiotic additives in feeding stuffs and prevent any fraud or incorrect labelling of these products. The methods were developed for probiotic micro-organisms as a single species in a feed or in mixtures with other probiotic additives. This allows the highest degree of differentiation to identify specific species in a product.
An official control method in the framework of Directive 70/524/EEC for probiotic yeast used as feed additives was validated in a collaborative study by 20 laboratories in 12 countries. A 'pour plate' method following ISO 7954 using chloramphenicol glucose yeasts extract (CGYE) and a plate method using Chromagar Candids were used. For routine analyses, the pour plate is recommended whereby the Chromagar method can be used for confirmation of the species Saccharomyces cerivisiae . The results from this study are intended for consideration for adoption as CEN and ISO standards.
Final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk,
Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency, tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email:
library&info@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Leuschner R (2003) Enumeration of probiotic bacilli spores in animal feed: interlaboratory study. Journal of AOAC International, 86, (3) 568-575.
Leuschner R (2003) A collaborative study of a method for the enumeration of probiotic bifidobacteria in animal feed. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 83, 161-170.
Leuschner R (2003) Validation of an official control method for enumeration of authorised probiotic yeasts. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, 26, 147-153.
Contact
: For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or email
science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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