Preclinical / prototype
MicroTester — Redox-Potential Rapid Microbiological Testing Platform
- Results in 6–12 hours (vs. 24–72h culture)
- In daily use at 16 production sites
- Piloted in an accredited food-chain microbiology lab
Overview
Microbiological quality control in the food industry traditionally relies on classical culture methods, which can take up to three days to deliver a result. MicroTester takes a different approach, tracking redox-potential changes instead of impedance, so it works with standard nutrient media and ordinary lab thermostats while still delivering a result in 6–12 hours.
The platform targets total count, coliform, and hygiene-indicator testing in beverage, dairy, meat, and water production. It is currently running as a prototype in daily use across a number of production plants, as well as within an accredited food-chain microbiology laboratory.
Evidence & results
The underlying redox-potential technology has a long, peer-reviewed track record rather than being a brand-new concept — spanning almost two decades of published research across food safety applications. A few of the most relevant publications:
- Reichart O, Szakmár K, Jóźwiak Á, Felföldi J, Baranyai L (2007). “Redox potential measurement as a rapid method for microbiological testing and its validation for coliform determination.” International Journal of Food Microbiology, 114(2), 143–148.
- Erdősi O, Szakmár K, Reichart O, Székely-Körmöczy P, Laczay P (2012). “Application of the redox potential measurement based rapid method in the microbial hygienic control.” Acta Alimentaria, 41(1), 45–55.
- Erdősi O, Szakmár K, Szili Z, Szita G, Bernáth S, Sövényi J, Laczay P (2018). “Rapid in-house detection method of Campylobacter spp. from food by redox potential monitoring combined with real-time PCR.” Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 66(1), 1–11.
- Szita G, Szakmár K, Bernáth S, Sövényi J, Fülöp G, Hadjiev J, Csikó G, Solymosi N, Makrai L (2020). “Semiautomated detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from diverse water samples using highly selective Z-broth and a redox potential monitor.” bioRxiv preprint 2020.02.17.946384.
- Yakdhane E, Tőzsér D, Haykir O, Yakdhane A, Labidi S, Kiskó G, Baranyai L (2024). “Recognition of environmental contaminant and pathogenic bacteria by means of redox potential methodology.” MethodsX, 13, 102811.