AOAC 993.06 Standard Test Method for Staphylococcal Enterotoxins by Enzyme Immunoassay

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of AOAC 993.06 standard. Developed by the Official Society of Analytical Chemists (AOAC), the AOAC 993.06 standard describes an enzyme immunoassay that uses a mixture of high-affinity capture antibodies for the identification of toxins in food samples.

In this test method, samples are prepared by dilution in Tris buffer, centrifugation, and filtering the supernatant from a syringe, adjusting the final pH to 7.0 to 8.0. Samples are incubated in 96-well plates with a mixture of antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase and visualized with a peroxidase substrate.

Test results are determined visually or using a microtiter plate reader. The test is considered positive for staphylococcal enterotoxins if the absorptive ability is greater than 0.200, and negative if it is equal to 0.200. Specific toxin serotypes are not distinguished in this test method. This method detects 4 to 10 ng/mL staphylococcal enterotoxin in extracts prepared from foods containing 1,3 to 3,3 ng/mL staphylococcal enterotoxin.

This test method is applicable for the hypothetical analysis of Type B staphylococcal enterotoxins in aerosol samples and Types A and C in aerosol, solid, particulate, liquid and water samples. However, more research is needed to develop and standardize procedures for environmental sample types.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that produces a wide variety of toxins thereby causing a variety of disease symptoms. Staphylococcal enterotoxins, a family of nine major serological species of thermostable enterotoxins, are the leading cause of gastroenteritis from the consumption of contaminated food. In addition, staphylococcal enterotoxins are potent superantigens that stimulate nonspecific T cell proliferation. They share close phylogenetic relationships with similar structures and activities.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins are an important cause of food poisoning, which occurs after ingestion of different foods in general, especially processed meat and dairy products, contaminated with staphylococcus aureus through mishandling and subsequent storage at high temperatures. Symptoms begin quickly and include nausea and severe vomiting with or without diarrhea.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with AOAC 993.06 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.