Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) causing food poisoning need to be detected at the protein level, since the toxin can be present despite heat-treatment. Currently, extraction and detection of 5 SEs, SEA-SEE, is regulated. A new assay was developed to detect additionally SEG-SEI using a multiplex suspension immunoassay (SIA).
The goal of our project is to identify high risk food and analyze those with the multiplex SIA, if exceeding 105 cfu/g of CPS (microbial count of 100,000 coagulase-positive staphylococci per unit, such as per gram/food or milliliter/liquid). The CPS strains will be characterized further for other virulence factors.
Another major objective of this project is to implement the short protocol for extracting SEs from food as proposed by the RKI. Our studies will contribute significantly to food safety, allowing identification of new SEs in food (including novel plant-based foods).