Enterobacter sakazakii determination (The Cronobacter spp.)

Determination of Enterobacter Sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.)
Determination of Enterobacter Sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.)

Enterobacter sakazakii is a gram-negative bacterium that causes meningitis and similar infections, especially in newborn babies. This type of bacteria poses the highest risk for premature or immunocompromised or low birth weight infants. Moreover, the probability of death is as high as 80. In particular, powdered infant formula is believed to cause these infections.

The bacteria Enterobacter sakazakii lose their vitality in the production of powdered infant formula, during the pasteurization process. However, in post-pasteurization processes, these bacteria are known to contaminate the product.

The bacterium Enterobacter sakazakii is a common microorganism found in nature, but its natural source has not been found. This type of bacteria is most commonly found in food products such as meat products, cheese, vegetables and spices, and in facilities such as grain mills, milk powder mills and hospitals.

The prolongation of infant feeding times at room temperature in the newborn care units of hospitals and the reuse of food containers poses a risk for this bacterial species.

The number of diseases caused by Enterobacter sakazakii bacteria has increased in recent years. The reasons why this bacterium is so widespread in infant formula should be investigated, the risk amounts should be determined and the reproductive characteristics of the bacterium should be investigated in detail.

In advanced laboratories, analyzes for enterobacter sakazakii and cronobacter species are carried out within the framework of microbiological analyzes. These analyzes are based on domestic and foreign standards and analysis methods. The standards considered in this regard are:

 

  • TS ISO 21528-1 Microbiology of food and animal feed - Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of enterobacteriaceae - Part 1: Search and enumeration with the most probable number technique with pre-enrichment
  • TS ISO 21528-2 Microbiology of food and animal feeds - Horizontal method for detection and counting of Enterobacteriaceae - Part 2: Colony counting method