Enumeration of total yeasts and molds in foods by the SimPlate Yeast and Mold-Color Indicator method and conventional culture methods: collaborative study

The relative effectiveness of the SimPlate Yeast and Mold-Color Indicator method (Y&M-CI) was compared to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) method and the proposed International Organization for Standardization (ISO) method, ISO/CD 21527, for enumerating yeasts and molds in foods. Test portions were prepared and incubated according to the conditions stated in both the BAM and ISO methods. Six food types were analyzed: frozen corn dogs, nut meats, frozen fruits, cake mix, cereal, and fresh cheese. Nut meats, frozen fruits, and fresh cheese were naturally contaminated. All other foods were artificially contaminated with either a yeast or mold. Seventeen laboratories throughout North America and Europe participated in the study. Three method comparisons were conducted. In general, there was <0.3 mean log count difference in recovery between the SimPlate method and the 2 corresponding reference methods. Moreover, mean log counts between the 2 reference methods were also very similar. The repeatability (Sr) and reproducibility (SR) standard deviations were comparable between the 3 method comparisons. These results indicate that the BAM method and the SimPlate method are equivalent for enumerating yeast and mold populations in foods. Similarly, the SimPlate method is comparable to the proposed ISO method when test portions are prepared and incubated as defined in the proposed ISO method.     

碱金属钾对Ni基催化剂纤维素水蒸气气化活性的影响

采用两段式催化气化方式研究了生物质热解气化过程中碱金属的挥发对Ni基催化剂活性的影响。实验结果表明,负载K盐的纤维素水蒸气催化气化过程中,K挥发后会在催化剂表面沉积,而少量K的存在和表面沉积不但能够提高镍基催化剂的抗积炭能力,而且有助于提高其催化活性,产生更多的氢气。然而纤维素中K的浓度过大,将会抑制Ni基催化剂的效果;K在催化剂上的沉积随催化剂循环次数的增加而增加,K的含量愈高,对催化剂的抑制效果愈明显,从而缩短了催化剂的使用寿命。     

Comparative validation study to demonstrate the equivalence of a minor modification to AOAC Method 996.09 [Visual Immunoprecipitate (VIP) for E. coli O157:H7] to the reference culture methods

The Visual Immunoprecipitate (VIP) for the Detection of E. coli O157:H7 in Foods, AOAC Official Method 996.09, has been modified to use a simplified plastic housing for the device. A methods comparison study was conducted to demonstrate the equivalence of this modification to the reference culture method. Three foods were analyzed. In total, valid results were obtained from 240 samples and controls. Results showed that the VIP for E. coli O157:H7 is equivalent to the reference culture methods for the detection of E. coli O157:H7.     

Validation study to demonstrate the equivalence of a minor modification of Assurance Enzyme Immunoassay method, Official Method 996.14, for detection of Listeria in foods and environmental surfaces to the reference culture methods

The Assurance Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) for the Detection of Listeria in Foods and Environmental Surfaces, AOAC Official Method 996.14, has been modified to combine the separate antibody and conjugate addition steps into one. A methods comparison study was conducted to demonstrate the equivalence of this modification to the reference culture methods. Two food matrixes and one environmental surface were analyzed. In total, there were valid results from 145 samples and controls. Results showed that the Assurance EIA for Listeria spp. is equivalent to the reference culture methods for the detection of Listeria.     

Phase-alternated compositeπ/2 pulses for solid state quadrupole echo NMR spectroscopy

Phase-alternated compositeπ/2 pulses have been constructed for spinI=1 to overcome quadrupole interaction effects in solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Magnus expansion approach is used to design these sequences in a manner similar to the NMR coherent averaging theory. It is inferred that the symmetric phase-alternated compositeπ/2 pulses reported here are quite successful in producing quadrupole echo free from phase distortions. This effectiveness of the present composite pulses is due to the fact that most of them are of shorter durations as compared to the ones reported in literature. In this theoretical procedure, irreducible spherical tensor operator formalism is employed to simplify the complexity involved in the evaluation of Magnus expansion terms. It has been argued in this paper that compositeπ/2 pulse sequences for this purpose can also be derived from the broadband inversionπ pulses which are designed to compensate electric field gradient (efg) inhomogeneity in spinI=1 nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy.     

用于 EAST 上低杂波平行波数测量的磁探针设计与测试

针对EAST上2.45GHz低杂波,完成了低杂波平行波数测量磁探针的设计、仿真与测试。利用有限元仿真软件COMSOL Multiphysics 5.2对磁探针尺寸进行仿真优化,确定了单匝环、矩形缝以及陶瓷片厚度等影响磁探针耦合性能的关键尺寸。测试结果表明,该磁探针对2.45GHz低杂波有良好的耦合性能和鉴别波极化的能力,与仿真结果一致。研究结果为EAST装置上低杂波平行波数测量诊断系统的建立提供重要的参考依据,从而为进一步开展高密度低杂波电流驱动实验研究提供必要的实验数据。     

Visual immunoprecipitate assay eight hour method for detection of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw and cooked beef (modification of AOAC Official Method 996.09): collaborative study

AOAC Official Method 996.09, Visual Immunoprecipitate Assay (VIP) for Escherichia coli O157:H7, was modified to incorporate a new enrichment protocol using BioControl EHEC8 medium for testing raw and cooked beef. Foods were tested by VIP assay and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA/FSIS) enrichment procedure and the FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) isolation and confirmation techniques. A total of 15 collaborators participated. Raw and cooked ground beef were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 at 2 different levels: a high level, where predominantly positive results were expected, and a low level where fractional recovery was anticipated. Collaborators tested 396 test portions and controls by both methods, for a total of 792 test portions. Of the 396 paired test portions, 75 were positive and 230 were negative by both the VIP and culture methods. Eleven test portions were presumptively positive by VIP and could not be confirmed culturally; 32 were negative by VIP, but confirmed positive by culture; and 65 were negative by the culture method, but confirmed positive by the VIP method. There was no statistical difference between results obtained with the VIP for EHEC 8 h method and the culture method except for cooked beef, where the VIP had significantly higher recovery for one inoculation level.     

AOAC International methods committee guidelines for validation of qualitative and quantitative food microbiological official methods of analysis

Responding to a need for a guide for conducting Official Method validation studies of microbiological methods, AOAC utilized the experience of three microbiologists who have been active in the field of method validation. In collaboration, a document was prepared which covered the following areas: terms and their definitions associated with the Official Methods program (e.g., reference methods, alternative methods, and ruggedness testing), protocols and validation requirements for qualitative methods versus those for quantitative methods, the concept of the precollaborative study, ruggedness testing, tests for significant differences, performance indicators, and the approval process. After its preparation, this document was reviewed by the members of the Methods Committee on Microbiology and Extraneous Materials and by members of the Official Methods Board. Herein is presented the approved version of that document.     

Equivalence of Visual Immunoprecipitate Assay (VIP) for Salmonella for the detection of motile and nonmotile Salmonella in all foods to AOAC culture method: collaborative study

Six foods representative of a wide variety of processed, dried powder processed, and raw food types were analyzed by the Visual Immunoprecipitate Assay (VIP) for Salmonella and AOAC INTERNATIONAL culture method. Paired samples of each food type were simultaneously analyzed; one sample by the VIP method and one by the AOAC culture method. A total of 24 laboratories representing federal government agencies and private industry, in the United States and Canada, participated in this collaborative study. Food types were inoculated with species of Salmonella with the exception of raw ground chicken, which was naturally contaminated. No statistical differences (p < 0.05) were observed between VIP for Salmonella interpretation and the AOAC culture method for any inoculation level of any food type or naturally contaminated food. The method was adopted Official First Action status by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.     

Comparative validation study to demonstrate the equivalence of a minor modification to AOAC Method 999.09 [Visual Immunoprecipitate (VIP) for Salmonella] to the reference culture methods

The Visual Immunoprecipitate (VIP) for the Detection of Salmonella in Foods, AOAC Official Method 999.09, has been modified to use a simplified housing for the device. A methods comparison study was conducted to demonstrate the equivalence of this modification to the reference culture method. Three foods were analyzed. In total, valid results were obtained from 125 samples and controls. Results showed that the modified VIP for Salmonella is equivalent to the reference culture methods for the detection of Salmonella.