Identification of microorganisms and microbial resistance to antibiotics

The Milk Research Unit employs advanced methods for phenotyping microorganisms (BIOLOG Phenotype Microarrays), including antibiotic sensitivity testing (Sensititre MIC) and genotypic characterization (polymerase chain reaction-based methods, 16S amplicon sequencing and whole genome sequencing) of the isolates. Characterization of the microbial strains is necessary to address specific diseases in animals (e.g., pathogens that cause mastitis), to solve problems related to persistent pathogens or spoilagebacteria within food facilities, as well as to improve verification programs applied by food industries.

Surveillance of Food Processing Environments (FPEs)

The Dairy Research Unit can assist in the development and establishment of a Sampling and Monitoring Scheme of FPEs which constitutes an innovative way to address emerging issues such as:

• Presence of pathogenic microorganisms and strategies to mitigate the risk
• Treatment of spoilage microorganisms
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of cleaning and hygiene programs

Elaboration of special projects or studies

The Dairy Research Unit has the staff and experience to designand elaborate special studies (projects) adapted to the needs of the interested parties to deal with and solve problems or develop new products and services, such as for example studies to determine the shelf-life of foods, studies to evaluate the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods (challenge tests), statistical process control, herd management, Life Cycle Assessment studies for livestock farms and food industry based on ISO 14040/14044, etc.