Today, 3M Food Safety has announced the launch of the 3M Microbial Luminescence System (MLS) Ultra High Temperature (UHT) Beverage Screening Kit. This is a rapid test for UHT and Extended Shelf Life (ESL) beverages, created in response to growing global demand for commercially sterile beverages that retain both flavor and nutrients. The new rapid test expands the application of the system from UHT dairy products to a wide variety of beverages such as fruit juices, caffeinated drinks, coconut waters, smoothies, dairy substitutes and more. The system provides a rapid method for quality release testing, reducing the time-to-result by two to three days or more, compared to traditional methods like agar plates and pH measurement. This improved technology provides a quicker and more reliable way to detect microorganisms in beverages.

“UHT and ESL beverages and their processing techniques are becoming more sophisticated and diverse. Yet the historical test methods continue to lag behind and are time-consuming and limiting,” says Eric Amann, 3M Food Safety global marketing manager. “This new and improved 3M technology provides a quicker and more reliable way to detect microorganisms in a wide variety of beverages.”

Using bioluminescence technology, the 3M Microbial Luminescence System detects adenosine triphosphate--an energy molecule universally present in all living organisms--no matter how small. This technology allows the 3M MLS to have faster time-to-result than traditional pH or agar tests, and more reliably detect a broad range of microorganisms than traditional methods.

Following a two to three day sample pre-incubation time, the 3M MLS technology provides a rapid result in less than 30 minutes, eliminating the need for further plating and incubating of agar dishes. This expedited time-to-result enables beverage producers to release product quicker, reduce inventory and storage space as well as increase their flexibility and lab productivity.

3M Food Safety | 651-789-1264 | 3M.com