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Imprint
Detection of shiga toxin-producing E. coli in cereal samples of the Besonderen Ernte- und Qualitätsermittlung (STEC-BEE)
Project
Project code: MRI-MBT-08-2021-1
Contract period: 01.12.2020
- 31.12.2021
Purpose of research: Applied research
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were repeatedly detected in flour samples (wheat, spelt and rye) during official food monitoring in Germany in 2018. Serotyping of STEC isolates revealed that in some cases serotypes were detected that had already been identified in the context of human diseases. Although STEC are reliably killed when "moist heat" is applied at temperatures above 70 °C, this is not applicable for dry flour products with approx. 13 % water content. These bacteria are also relatively insensitive to acids, cold or desiccation. STEC was recently shown to survive for up to 2 years in flour. Thus, according to the current statement No. 004/2020 of the BfR dated January 20, 2020, the probability of adverse health effects is possible due to EHEC/STEC in flour. At the same time, the statement also suggested that there is a great need for research in this area. In this project, therefore, data will be generated in order to answer the question of potential sources of entry of STEC into the product flour. Conceivable is that contamination may occur during flour processing in the mill as a result of "niche contamination". However, direct entry of STEC into the mills due to contamination of the grain is also possible. For this purpose, the Department of Safety and Quality of Cereals (GE) in Detmold provides grain samples of the Besonderen Ernte- und Qualitätsermittlung (BEE), which will be investigated at both the institute’s GE and MBT for the detection of E. coli in parallel. The MBT institute provides the technical support and performs the confirmatory tests for presumptive STEC isolates. In addition, genomic analyses for identification and characterization will be performed. Ultimately, the aim is to generate data on the occurrence of STEC in German cereal samples, which can then contribute to the risk assessment by the BfR.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Processing
- Toxicology
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
MRI - Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology (MRI-MBT)
