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Microbial Identification

Accredited identification and confirmation of microorganisms in food, feed and environmental samples using culture-based, molecular and mass spectrometry methods.

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Microbial identification using culture-based, molecular and mass spectrometric methods for food safety and quality assessment.

Identifying the Cause Behind Microbiological Findings

Microbial isolate prepared for species-level identification in an accredited laboratory.

Microbiological findings often require more than quantitative results alone. Accurate species identification provides valuable information for evaluating contamination sources, understanding microbiological risks and determining appropriate corrective actions.

Pathogens, spoilage organisms, spore-formers and hygiene indicators can differ significantly in their relevance, origin and implications for food production. Reliable identification supports a better understanding of microbiological findings and helps distinguish between process-related contamination, hygiene deficiencies and product-specific risks.

We support food manufacturers and processors with culture-based, molecular and mass spectrometry methods for reliable microbial identification and species confirmation. Accreditation to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 provides the basis for scientifically sound and regulatory-compliant results.

Understanding Microbiological Findings

Reliable species identification helps determine the origin, relevance and potential impact of microbiological findings.
Process-based root cause analysis of food contamination and quality deviations.

Root Cause Analysis

Identification of contamination sources throughout production, transport and storage.

Supports targeted corrective actions and process optimization.

Assessment of hygiene conditions in food production and processing environments.

Hygiene Assessment

Detection and identification of hygiene indicator organisms to assess sanitation effectiveness and production hygiene.

Supports hygiene verification and process improvement.

Classification of microbial spoilage processes affecting food quality and shelf life.

Spoilage Identification

Identification of microorganisms associated with sensory changes, product instability and reduced shelf life.

Supports quality investigations and shelf-life assessment.

Identification and evaluation of pathogenic risks in food safety management.

Pathogen Identification

Identification of relevant foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Bacillus cereus and Clostridium spp.

Supports food safety assessments and microbiological risk evaluation.

Scientific support for regulatory and food safety compliance decisions.

Regulatory Decision Support

Species identification and microbiological classification provide a reliable basis for product release and regulatory assessments.

Supports contamination investigations and risk-based decision-making.

Analytical Methods

Culture-based, molecular and mass spectrometry methods provide complementary approaches for the identification of microorganisms. The most appropriate method depends on the organism,
sample matrix and required level of taxonomic resolution.

Culture-Based Identification

Identification based on growth characteristics, morphology and metabolic properties.

Methods: Selective media and biochemical tests.

Results: Taxonomic classification of relevant isolates.

Suitable for: Routine identification of cultivable isolates using phenotypic characteristics.

 

Molecular Identification

Rapid and highly sensitive identification of defined target microorganisms.

Methods: Real-Time PCR.

Results: Sensitive detection and confirmation of microbiologically relevant target organisms.

Suitable for: Targeted confirmation of specific microorganisms and rapid verification of suspected findings.

MALDI-TOF MS Identification

Protein-based microbial identification for routine species determination.

Methods: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

Results: Rapid, precise and reproducible species identification.

Suitable for: Routine species-level confirmation of isolates already obtained through cultivation.

Sequencing-Based Analysis

Genetic characterization of ambiguous, atypical or complex findings.

Methods: DNA sequencing.

Results: High-resolution taxonomic classification and characterization of microorganisms.

Suitable for: Unclear, atypical or complex findings that cannot be conclusively resolved by culture-based methods, PCR or MALDI-TOF MS.

Typical Application Areas

Microbial identification is not limited to a specific product category. It is applied whenever microbiological findings need to be confirmed, classified or traced back to their source.

Hygiene Assessment

Identification of indicator organisms recovered from surfaces, equipment and environmental samples to assess sanitation effectiveness and hygiene conditions.

Typical applications: Hygiene monitoring, environmental investigations, sanitation verification and HACCP programs.

 

Spoilage Identification

Identification of spoilage-associated microorganisms involved in sensory defects, reduced shelf life and product instability.

Typical applications: Shelf-life investigations, spoilage assessments, complaint investigations and product quality evaluation.

Pathogen Identification

Identification of relevant foodborne pathogens and microbiological hazards associated with food safety risks.

Typical applications: Food safety investigations, confirmation testing, risk assessment and regulatory evaluations.

Root Cause Analysis

Identification of contamination sources across production, transport and storage to support targeted corrective actions and process optimization.

Typical applications: Deviation investigations, contamination tracking, complaint investigations and process improvement.

 

Regulatory Decision Support

Reliable microbial identification data support scientifically sound decisions regarding product release, recalls and compliance assessments.

Typical applications: Release decisions, recall investigations, audit support and regulatory documentation.

 

Illustration Law

Regulatory Framework

Microbial identification provides valuable information for product release decisions, contamination investigations, recall assessments and regulatory compliance. Accurate species-level identification supports risk evaluation, corrective actions and informed decision-making across the food supply chain.

We support food manufacturers and processors with scientifically sound identification data for microbiological investigations, quality assurance and regulatory assessments.

See our Microbiology Overview for further information and regulatory requirements.
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Related Analytics

Packaged food product assessed for microbiological stability, spoilage risks and shelf-life performance.

Spoilage Organisms

Identification of spoilage-associated microorganisms helps determine the causes of sensory defects, reduced shelf life and product instability. Combined assessment supports quality investigations, shelf-life evaluation and targeted improvement measures. 

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Selective agar plate used for pathogen detection in a food safety context.

Pathogen Detection & Testing

Microbial identification supports the confirmation of relevant pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and STEC. Accurate species identification complements pathogen testing and food safety investigations.

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