PBR LABORATORIES MICROBIOLOGY

Microorganisms (particularly, bacteria, molds, dust-mites, etc.) are known to cause human allergies, hypersensitivity reactions, toxic effects and other pathological manifestations. Their role in contributing to the adverse health effects associated with the so-called “sick building syndrome” has been under intensive scrutiny recently.

A comprehensive surveillance of indoor environment includes: collection of indoor air samples; swiping of surfaces and sampling of household dust, carpets, bedding materials, etc. The number and types of microorganisms present in a given indoor environment can be greatly influenced by the prevailing conditions such as ventilation rates, crowding, nature and degree of the activity, quality of house-keeping practices, temperature and humidity levels, etc.

The primary objective of monitoring indoor environment quality is to estimate the density, identify the species and determine the source of offending microorganisms so that effective corrective action can be undertaken to keep their levels at a minimum in the indoor environment. Air sampling data are generally used to assess the extent of the microbial contamination and to further investigate the breeding sites in the target premises.

Since 1986, PBR has been providing indoor air quality monitoring services for consulting firms, private companies, public institutions, occupational health/safety workers, industrial hygienists, environmental consultants, home-owners etc. We offer an extensive expertise in the following areas:

Sterility audits are an integral part of the GMP, ISO 9000 and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) regulatory standards. An evaluation of the level of microbiological contamination is essential to determine the effectiveness of hygienic practices in manufacturing facilities, and to ensure the quality of pharmaceutical and food products. PBR develops and conducts customized indoor environment monitoring programs and risk assessments for clients.

With the increasing number of reported outbreaks of foodborne diseases, the microbiological quality of food and food product has become a major public health concern. This concern is reflected through recent government actions in the creation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Program (HACCP). This program puts strong emphasis on the importance of microbiological analysis of food products and sterility audits of manufacturing processes and facilities. Regulatory agencies in both Canada and the United States are revising the regulations concerning the quality and safety of food by incorporating more stringent regulatory programs or standards such as HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and ISO 9000. These actions will increase the demand for a number of new laboratory testing procedures, many of which will be focused on microbiological issues that directly affect human health.

PBR offers HACCP implementation services and microbiological testing services using the standard testing protocols and applying new biotechnology based rapid screening methods to restaurants, food manufacturers, retailers, dairy, meatpacking and beverage plants, and other sectors and companies of the food industry.

Sterility audit is an integral part of GMP and HACCP and is routinely carried out to maintain a required level of sanitary conditions in a manufacturing facility or plant. Evaluation of microbial contamination of indoor air, critical areas in the plant, equipment etc. is essential to ensure standard quality and safety of food. A general sterility and sanitation audit includes the following tests. Specific microbiological analysis include the following:

Heterotrophic Plate Count/ Mold and Yeast: Detection/Identification	Clostridium perfringens
Total Coliforms/Fecal Coliforms	Staphylococcus aureus
E. coli/ E.coli 0157	Mesophilic aerobic spore formers
Salmonella	Mesophilic anaerobic spore formers
Listeria monocytogenes	Mycotoxins

Health Canada – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has identified 10 top allergy-causing foods, often referred to as the priority food allergens – peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, fish, shellfish and crustaceans, wheat, soy, sesame seeds, and sulphites (an additive). These regulatory requirements are similar to those included in the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of the United States.

Under the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations, CFIA imposes labeling requirement to clearly identify sources of priority food allergens to protect allergic consumers. These regulations are soon to become part of the Food and Drug Act that will carry the force of law.

PBR Laboratories Inc., an Edmonton-based Standards Council of Canada-accredited (under ISO 17025) laboratory, has been involved in food safety related analytical and consulting services for the last 20 years. Our services include: screening for pathogens, mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin, zearalenone, vomitoxin, T2 toxin, etc.) and antibiotic resistance profile of probiotics, HACCP program development, shelf-life studies, sterility audits and indoor environmental monitoring.
Our Laboratory uses ELISA-based methods for testing food allergen. We can test dry, blended or finished products or ingredients, liquids and clean-in-place rinses. The tests provide accurate and reproducible results in parts per million which are generated with internally built rigid quality control parameters. PBR can test for allergens associated with milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.), soy, wheat including other gluten containing grains, and sulphites (an additive).

Microbial contamination of wastewater and sludge is monitored for safety from exposure to harmful bacteria, fungi and enteric viruses including such parameters as toxicity, detection of carcinogenic contaminants, BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), TSS (Total Suspended Solids), etc.

A measure of potable water quality is often required for health risk assessment and water treatment plant efficiency. Health concerns and water safety issues regarding recreational use of lakes, ponds, swimming pools, spas and hot tubs are of paramount concern to both the user and provider. Therefore it is necessary to maintain and periodically check the levels of potentially pathogenic organisms and chemical additives in such samples.

Microbial consortia capable of degrading harmful contaminants can be developed for the treatment of industrial effluents allowing their safe disposal.

Corrosion of iron and steel pipes can occur as a result of the anaerobic or aerobic growth of microorganisms such as iron bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria. PBR has developed the expertise required to detect these organisms in environmental and industrial samples.