Cherry Chen | Senior Product Manager

DNA Preparation for Clostridium Botulinum and Botulinum Toxin Tests in Foods

Clostridium botulinum is widely found in vegetables, fruit, powdered milk, dried meat and other foods. In food, it can produce a potent neurotoxin called botulinum toxin, which is the most toxic chemical and biological toxin currently known. The lethal dose for humans is 10-9 mg/kg, which is 10,000 times stronger than the toxicity of cyanide. Food contaminated with the toxic Clostridium botulinum can cause severe food poisoning with a high mortality rate.

DETECTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM AND BOTULINUM TOXIN IN FOOD

How can traces of C. botulinum and C. botulinum toxin, which can be present in all foods, be accurately detected?
The homogenized food sample or the suspension of the centrifugal precipitate is cultured for 5-10 days to enrich the bacteria. Then the suspected colonies are selected for smear, staining and microscopic examination to observe the morphology of Clostridium botulinum and botulinum toxin. Meanwhile, the suspected strains are selected for activation and preparation of DNA templates for genetic testing.

PREPARATION OF DNA TEMPLATES FOR GENETIC TESTING

For the preparation of DNA templates, a small centrifuge with high centrifugal force is required to separate the DNA precipitates quickly and efficiently. The IKA G-L centrifuge can efficiently separate 12 samples simultaneously thanks to its ultra-high speed of 15,700 rpm, ultra-high centrifugal force of 16,500 G and standard 12*2 ml rotor.

FEATURES OF THE IKA G-L CENTRIFUGE

Compact
IKA G-L has a very small footprint and requires only a small space of approx. 200 x 280 mm on your laboratory bench.

Powerful
With a maximum speed of up to 15,700 rpm, the IKA G-L is the most powerful device in its class. Substances can be easily separated from the sample matrix. The capacity is 12 x 1.5/2.0 ml.

Safe
IKA G-L is equipped with an imbalance sensor. If the Falcon tubes are not positioned correctly, the device cannot be started and issues a warning. This prevents the motor from being blocked or even damaged.

Falcon tubes must be inserted diagonally.

Easy to operate
With the IKA G-L, you no longer have to perform complicated calculations. At the touch of a button, you can choose between the units RCF (relative centrifugal force) or RPM (revolutions per minute). RPM indicates the speed at which the rotor turns. RCF is the designation for the acceleration force that acts on a sample in a centrifuge.