FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE

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1 Spring/Summer 2010 THE GATEWAY TO MICROBIOLOGY TM Several decades of combined experience, the latest scientific understanding and a clear vision for the future enable Lab M to deliver high quality microbiological culture media products designed to fulfil the needs of customers - both today and for the future. By drawing on past experience, harnessing current expertise and tapping into future potential, Lab M provides robust, reliable microbiology solutions across the globe. mini-cat@labm.com FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE ESCHERICHIA COLI Examining the need to continue tracking E. coli and its serovars PRODUCT PIECES For the latest news on Lab M's brewing and neutralising media ranges APPOINTMENTS Profiling the newest members of Lab M's management team INTERNATIONAL NEWS Export Sales Manager Veronica Ponnuthurai celebrates Lab M's distribution network: then, now, and going forward

2 Our results, your standards Lab M products deliver results and by combining the sensitivity of our microbiological culture media with your vigilant monitoring protocols, you can ensure that standards are met - every time. Whether to help maintain public health (see opposite), support the production of fine tasting beer (p4), or to ensure a disinfectant still does its job (p4), Lab M products are designed to solve real-world problems. Decades of expertise lie behind an ongoing reputation for the highest quality product, creating demand from further afield than ever before (see p7). While the fight against pathogens and spoilage organisms may never be resolved with a single test, Lab M's extensive product portfolio delivers real choice when it comes to meeting your culture media requirements. If you have any questions about any of our product ranges, simply drop me a line at the address below. Lisa Green Product Manager, Lab M lisa.green@labm.com Tel: +44 (0) Monitoring E. coli now and in the future Recent UK outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 infection in young children continue to highlight the seriousness of the ensuing illness, the importance of timely diagnosis and the need to continue tracking the source of infection both now and into the future. Food safety can be enhanced if foodborne pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7 are monitored and controlled. Efficient, effective methods to determine the E. coli O26 and O157:H7 status of both food processing plants and products can reduce the potential for foodborne pathogens to leave the manufacturing environment in the first place, minimising potential hazard to human health. Escherichia coli O26 Rhamnose MacConkey (VTEC O26) Agar is selective for verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli O26. An established pathogen, this strain is linked to outbreaks of haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). In addition to the need for comprehensive health and safety monitoring in the food industry, increased awareness of the VTEC O26 strain in both clinical and veterinary settings has coincided with the development of microbiological techniques that have improved detection and characterisation of this pathogen. UNDER THE MICROSCOPE:

3 recovery. It then also serves as a selective enrichment medium for the isolation of E. coli O157 from food and other samples. Product codes: LAB046, X546 E. coli O26 on Rhamnose MacConkey Agar E. coli O157 on Harlequin SMAC-BCIG This medium is based on MacConkey agar, but substitutes rhamnose for the usual lactose as the fermentable carbohydrate. VTEC O26 colonies are unable to ferment the rhamnose present in the medium so remain translucent. All other non-o26 VTEC colonies appear as pink to red. Product code: LAB209 E. coli O157 and O157:H7 serovar Enrichment of samples is an important part of the E. coli O157 recovery and isolation process. VCC Selective Supplement is used with Lab M's Buffered Peptone Water to prepare a pre-enrichment broth for organism As well as this enrichment broth, Lab M provides a full range of media for E. coli O157 culture. These include modified Tryptone Soy Broth (mtsb) and Sorbitol MacConkey Agar (SMAC - which can be used with Cefixime Tellurite supplement for CT-SMAC), a selective differential medium for the isolation of E. coli O157:H7, the primary serovar associated with haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Product codes: LAB165, LAB161, X161 Harlequin SMAC-BCIG is a modification of SMAC agar in which the addition of a specific chromogenic substrate (5-bromo-4-chloro-3- indoxyl-ß-glucuronide [BCIG]) allows the straightforward differentiation of E. coli O157:H7 from other strains on the basis of colony colour. Product code: HAL006 A Captivating combination Accelerate bacterial isolation from food and environmental samples by combining the power of Lab M's innovative Captivate immunomagnetic separation (IMS) beads with chromogenic media. Of particular importance in the isolation of E. coli O157:H7 from meat and milk samples, Captivate can deliver presumptive positive and negative results for pathogens more rapidly. The antibody-coated microscopic paramagnetic beads enhance a range of microbiological processes, reducing the need for traditional enrichment procedures. Lab M supplies a ready-made Captivate range for E. coli serotypes and Salmonella isolation, as well as offering a custom coating service. ESCHERICHIA COLI O157

4 Spotlight on brewery Lab M's culture media for the brewing industry are designed to give early indication of potential infection issues. Covering a range of yeasts and other beer spoilage organisms, Lab M brewing media allow brewers to react in a timely manner and can help to reduce the costs associated with rework following infection. The Lab M range includes: Raka-Ray No.3 media: to manage and control levels of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. These selective media are based on the standard formulation recommended by the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) and the European Brewing Congress (EBC). Both a standard formulation and a unique, modified higher gel strength for surface inoculation are available. The Raka-Ray No.3 (Hi-Gel) Agar is especially useful when performing surface inoculation techniques. Product codes: LAB198, LAB199 W.L. (Wallerstein Laboratory) Nutrient Agar: is used for total microbial counts, and can be made selective for bacterial contaminants of yeast cultures. This product differentiates wild yeasts based on the sensitivity of brewing yeasts to cycloheximide. The medium is able to suppress yeasts and moulds for the differential detection of bacteria only. Product code: LAB079 Mixed yeasts on W.L. Nutrient Agar Squeaky clean! - or is it? Lab M's neutralising media make challenge testing easy. They are suitable for determining both the effectiveness of hygiene procedures and the bactericidal capability of a specific disinfectant. Neutralising media are used primarily for the isolation and recovery of micro-organisms from surfaces treated with disinfectants. These media neutralise the bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic activity of the residual disinfectant, allowing any contaminating organisms to grow. Easy to prepare, Lab M's neutralising media range includes a variety of different formulations. Dey & Engley Neutralising media are for manufacturers preparing the antiseptics and disinfectants used in the food industry. D.E. Neutralising Agar can be used when assessing disinfectants by the disc diffusion method. Product code: LAB188 D.E. Neutralising Broth and D.E. Neutralising Broth Base are both highly suited for challenge testing of disinfectants. Product codes: LAB186, LAB187 D.E. Neutralising Agar

5 micro contamination Lysine Agar: for the isolation and enumeration of contamination of the pitching yeast by wild yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. carlsbergensis and S. pastorianus. Lab M Lysine Agar is made to the Morris and Eddy published formulation. Product code: LAB201 Yeast and Mould Agar: specifically formulated for the detection of both Saccharomyces and non-saccharomyces wild yeasts in beer and brewing processes, particularly when the pitching yeast is also present. Based on the original MYGP formulation of Taylor and Marsh, the medium is made selective for wild yeasts by the addition of copper. Copper can be added at a rate of between 50 and 300 mg/litre, the exact quantity being dependent on the sensitivity of the pitching yeast to copper. Product code: LAB200 The Lab M brewing media range provides the means to detect and identify unwanted microorganisms across all facets of the brewing process, as well as to monitor levels of those organisms that are fundamental to successful beer production. Letheen media are formulated to neutralise all commonly used antiseptics and disinfectants quaternary ammonium compounds, phenols, hexachlorophene, formalin and ethanol. This broad-spectrum activity neutralises any disinfectant carryover on the hygiene swab, eliminating interference with subsequent culture. Letheen Broth is used to assess the bactericidal activity of preservatives in water-based cosmetics. Product code: LAB184 Letheen Agar enables determination of the number of colony forming units from a hygiene swabbing protocol and, when used in conjunction with Letheen Broth, avoids any potential inaccuracies caused by disinfectant carryover. Product code: LAB185 With microbial contamination and subsequent downtime, product recalls and incident investigations potentially costing the cosmetics and toiletries sector millions of dollars each year, these media are a highly cost-effective part of the industry's hygiene toolkit. Microbial Content Test Agar (MCTA) is recommended for the detection of microorganisms on surfaces sanitised with quaternary ammonium compounds, phenolic compounds and formalin. Product code: LAB189 D.E. Neutralising Broth Microbial Content Test Agar (MCTA)

6 Appointments Supporting customers everywhere Lab M made two new appointments to its management team during Both people now play key roles within the company as it continues to grow and develop business, introducing new products and opening up new markets across the globe. Ian Cressey Operations Manager In June 2009 we welcomed Ian Cressey as Operations Manager. Ian is a senior operations professional and Chartered Engineer, with more than 16 years' experience in blue chip businesses spanning food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Now responsible for a wide-ranging portfolio at Lab M including production, QC/QA, R&D, HR and site management, his previous experience gained in managing both processes and people across many different industry sectors enhances an already expert team. As well as being a Chartered Engineer, Ian has Diplomas in Accounting and Finance and in Brewing. He has worked for many well-known names, including Boots Contract Manufacturing, Walkers Snack Foods, Pedigree Masterfoods, HP Bulmer, Diageo and InBev UK Ltd. Veronica Ponnuthurai Export Sales Manager Export Sales Manager Veronica Ponnuthurai joined the company in May Veronica is MSc educated and qualified in microbiology, with extensive sales experience. Having relocated from Malaysia to the UK to take up her position with Lab M she quickly went on to successfully oversee Lab M's rapid expansion into global markets. Lab M's export success owes much to the high levels of service delivered by its UKbased support team. Having worked with distributors of laboratory products across Asia for several years, the team's Export Sales Manager brings the product and market knowledge and experience to continue building on these successes. New look for Harlequin Lab M's growing range of chromogenic culture media for the isolation and identification of a variety of important micro-organisms has a new look in 2010, so watch out for the new Harlequin logo. The Harlequin chromogenic range includes media designed to support the isolation of key organisms of significance to public health such as Listeria monocytogenes, Cronobacter sakazakii, Escherichia coli and Salmonella species. One of the most significant advances in microbiological culture in recent years, chromogenic media provide a rapid, accurate means of isolating and enumerating target micro-organisms based on the detection of specific enzyme activities. Harlequin chromogenic media can help reduce the need for subculture and confirmatory biochemical tests.

7 International news Export Sales Manager Veronica Ponnuthurai reports on Lab M activities around the world. Solid foundations with Labema Oy Lab M is celebrating 20 years of successful partnership with Finnish distribution company, Labema Oy. Founded in 1989, Labema Oy established a relationship with Lab M early in its history. Since then, the partnership has gone from strength to strength. A family company, Labema is well known for its personal but highly professional approach, which sits well with Lab M's own business ideals. Together, Lab M and Labema have brought quality microbiological diagnostic products and dehydrated culture media to laboratories across Finland and Estonia, and into Russia and beyond. Left to right: Veronica Ponnuthurai, Export Sales Manager, Lab M; Juhana Riskala, Managing Director, Labema Oy; Leah Keay (back), Customer Services Manager, Lab M; Maija Riskala, retiring Managing Director, Labema Oy Constant dialogue - Medica 2009 Medica 2009 was a resounding success for Lab M providing the opportunity for productive discussions with both customers and distributors, current and new. Held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 18 to 21 November 2009, this world forum played host to 138,000 visitors and Lab M's stand was constantly busy. All appointments were fully booked with the Lab M team participating in over a hundred meetings across the four exhibition days. Much of the strength in Lab M's distribution network rests on collaborative dialogue. Industry events such as Medica provide the perfect opportunity to come together to deliberate on future developments and emerging markets. Lab M at Medica 2009 Pushing the boundaries Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Escomed East Africa Limited joined the Lab M distributor family in September last year and the team there is working hard to develop the market in East Africa. In the past few months the company has introduced Lab M products to key people in clinical and industrial settings, in universities and in testing and standards bodies. Escomed's marketing director Alfred Mutava is pleased with the positive response to these activities which he says has resulted in many end users sampling and validating Lab M culture media. So it looks like an exciting few months ahead serving and supporting new customers in this region.

8 PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE PRODUCT CODE CAP001 HAL006 LAB046 LAB079 LAB161 LAB165 LAB184 LAB185 LAB186 LAB187 LAB188 LAB189 LAB198 LAB199 LAB200 LAB201 LAB204 LAB209 X161 X546 Lab M Up Close DESCRIPTION Captivate O157 Harlequin SMAC-BCIG Buffered Peptone Water W.L. Nutrient Agar (Wallerstein Laboratory) Sorbitol MacConkey Agar O157 Broth (mtsb) Letheen Broth Letheen Agar D.E. Neutralising Broth Base D.E. Neutralising Broth D.E. Neutralising Agar Microbial Content Test Agar (MCTA) Raka-Ray No.3 Agar Raka-Ray No.3 Agar (Increased Gel Strength) Yeast and Mould Agar Lysine Agar Buffered Peptone Water (ISO) Rhamnose MacConkey (VTEC O26) Agar Cefixime Tellurite supplement VCC supplement Well known for its multi-coloured chromogenic media, Lab M believes in complete transparency when it comes to doing business. 'Lab M Up Close' is a recent addition to the company literature and gives a concise view of what the company can do for its customers, illustrating how Lab M's experience and expertise add value in the delivery of microbiological culture media. The new 'Up Close' flyer explains just how Lab M's scientists and business experts turn the art of product development into the science of manufacturing consistent products. For a copy or more information call Lab M on +44 (0) or info@labm.com Topley House 52 Wash Lane Bury Lancashire BL9 6AS UK Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) info@labm.com Web: THE GATEWAY TO MICROBIOLOGY TM