Award details

Modular Training for industry programme proposal - predictive microbiology for food industry

Reference	BBS/E/F/00042364
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Jozsef Baranyi
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	16,600
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2006
End date	30/06/2009
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The potential of predictive microbiology for food safety was recognised in the 1980s with the advent of personal computers. However, the full potential of predictive microbiology is only now being embraced with the development of enhanced predictive modelling tools and databases. There have been two major significant developments in this area recently: 1) The ComBase initiative, (see the website www.combase.cc ). The ComBase website hosts the ComBase database, containing tens of thousands of records (currently greater than 33,000) of responses of pathogens and spoilage organisms to food environments. 2) Computer- and web-based software tools for predictive microbiology and risk assessment, for example, GrowthPredictor, ComBase Predictor, Perfringens Predictor, Monte Carlo predictor, DM Fit and MicroFit etc. The relatively rapid development of this field means that quantitative microbiology terms, concepts and methods, which were until quite recently only considered by food scientists, mathematicians and the most proactive of food companies (mainly large corporations), are now widely used throughout the whole of the food industry. However, evidence from communication with Food Company and legislative personnel, suggests that these terms, concepts and methods are not always fully understood or correctly applied. The project aim is to train and impart knowledge regarding predictive modelling and risk assessment with respect to food-borne bacterial pathogens and spoilage organisms, to managers, risk assessors, safety and quality assurance team members and product development specialists for the food industry. In addition to an enhanced understanding of terms, concepts and principles of predictive microbiology and familiarity with the tools available, the training is likely to improve food safety management by introducing risk assessment and help companies to reduced costs in challenge testing and shelf life determination.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	Microbial Food Safety, Microbiology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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