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Article: USDA research. (United States Department of Agriculture)
- Article from:
- Food Review
- Article date:
- April 1, 1991
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 U.S. Department of Agriculture. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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USDA Research
Food Poisoning
Detection Tests Patented
Saumya Bhaduri, USDA molecular microbiologist, has developed and patented a test that detects quickly (within 5 minutes) a relatively unknown food-poisoning bacterium.
The test uses a crystal violet dye which binds to disease-causing strains of the bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica, but not to harmless strains. The crystal dye method does not allow for further testing, however, because the bacterium is killed by the test. A newer test also being patented uses Congo red dye. The Congo red dye test is especially useful in field laboratories of food processing plants, hospitals, ...