2709 Pan American Freeway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
NEW SERVICES AT SUMMIT
Choosing the right bacteria laboratory is a critically important decision.
Some labs promise more than they deliver to get your business. But they eventually make their clients unhappy after lost time and money. Some labs charge low prices to get your business, but they sacrifice quality analysis. At Summit Labs we don't charge the lowest prices because it is more important that we give you lasting value along with great pricing and unmatched service. This is exactly why environmental consultants and professionals have trusted Summit Labs for quality analysis since 1994. At Summit, we know that our clients value quality analytical data, unmatched service, and reliability. At Summit laboratories, you can rest knowing that we will provide you with the highest quality and accuracy in the industry.
Microbiological Testing
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Microbiological testing services include: |
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Standard Plate Count |
Coliform Count |
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Fecal Coliform Count |
Escherichiaea coli Count |
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Staphylococcus aureus count |
Salmonella PCR |
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Anaerobic Plate Count |
Mold & Yeast Analysis |
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E. coli |
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Microbial Limits |
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Total Aerobic Microbial Count |
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Salmonella and Escherichia Coli |
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Staphylococcus aureus and |
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Total Combined Mold and Yeast |
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Getting started and contact procedures:
Send an e-mail to the laboratory and be sure to include the following details: |
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Description of the product to be analyzed. |
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Description of the requirements concerning final product. |
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Determination of methods to be employed. |
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Number of samples and number of analytes to be determined. |
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Import items require brokerage information in order to coordinate shipments |
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Microbiology Laboratory Testing |
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Product safety has become a major concern for food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. When they occur, food-borne illnesses receive a lot of media attention and it is therefore critical to implement reliable and timely microbiological testing to ensure that your food products are free of microbial contaminants. Microbiology laboratory testing is also important in monitoring the quality of your food products.
Summit Environmental Technologies, Inc. provides microbiological testing services to food and beverage companies. Our clients need quick turnaround of their laboratory results. We always process and begin your microbiological analyses the day the samples arrive.
At Summit Environmental Technologies, Inc. our skilled and experienced scientists utilize validated and accredited laboratory methods to accurately test the safety and quality of your food product. Methodologies include FDA / BAM, AOAC, USP, and APHA.
Our microbiology lab testing services include:
Aerobic & Anaerobic plate counts
Coliform & E. coli
E. coli O157:H7
Psychrotrophs
Salmonella.
Staphylococcus aureus
Yeast and mold counts |
Endotoxins
Endotoxin
Endotoxins are bacterial products that are ubiquitous in the environment and, although they do take part in some disease processes, exposure at some level is probably essential for the normal development of the human (and animal) immune systems.
The nature of endotoxin
Bacteria produce two general types of toxins: exotoxins and endotoxins. Exotoxins are soluble proteins that are excreted from the bacterial cell. Anthrax, tetanus, botulism, and toxic shock syndrome are a few of the diseases caused by bacterial exotoxins. Endotoxins, on the other hand, are lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that are part of the bacterial cell structure. The toxin is minimally soluble and effects occur directly from contact with the bacteria. Endotoxins are produced by Gram negative bacteria such Escherischia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas, Neisseria, Haemophilus, and many others. All Gram negative bacteria have lipopolysaccharides as part of the cell wall. However, the lipopolysaccharides are not always toxic and those that are vary in potency.
Health Effects
Endotoxins are potent inflammatory agents, stimulating the release of many chemicals that activate the immune system. In high concentrations, such as would occur during a Gram negative bacterial infection, fever, inflammation, coagulation of platelets, hemorrhage, and shock may result. At the much lower concentrations encountered during inhalation exposures, inflammation is the primary outcome.
In some work environments in which organic material is handled or large amounts of water are used (e.g., swine confinement, fiberglass manufacturing) work-related respiratory illnesses may occur. These illnesses are characterized by fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and cough. These symptoms may be worse on Monday and may gradually abate during the week, only to return following a weekend of no exposure. In residential and office environments, effects are less clear. Some studies relate dust or air levels of endotoxin to respiratory inflammation. In residential environments, endotoxin exposure appears to be related to a decrease in the risk of developing asthma. This effect is called the hygiene hypothesis, which considers that the reduction in exposure to endotoxin caused by increasing standards for home hygiene has led in part to the rising incidence of asthma.
Sampling and measurement technologies
Most of the data on endotoxin exposure comes from occupational environments where organic material or water is used in the manufacturing process. In these types of environments, extremely high endotoxin concentrations have been measured.
A summary of measured levels are listed in Table 1.
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Air Samples |
EU/m³ of air |
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Outdoors |
0.01-5 |
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Dialysis/Renal |
0.05 |
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Office |
.5-3; 350-460; 2500 |
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Aircraft |
1.5 |
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Outdoor Feedlots (USA) |
26-83 |
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Soybean harvest |
460-4438 |
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Farms |
2534-3175 |
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Machining fluid mist |
16-234 |
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Fiberglass manufacturing |
139000-278000 |
There is little indication that endotoxin levels in residential and office environments are likely to be related to ongoing problems. Measuring endotoxin in house dust has been done often enough that there is reference data that can be used for interpretation of whether levels are low, moderate, or high. How the data is interpreted with respect to health is less clear.
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Heterotrophic plate count |
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Description: |
A procedure for estimating the live heterotrophic bacteria in water, and other materials. The heterotrophic plate count gives an estimate of the bacterial load on or in a water/material. |
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Sample types: |
Bulk sample, Dust sample, Soil sample, Swab sample, Water sample, Wipe sample, Metal working fluid |
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Available turnaround: |
48 hours |
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Fecal Coliform,Total Coliform, E. coli-P/A |
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Description: |
With this test samples such as vitamin supplements, swabs, water, dust, etc. are grown in culture with metabolic indicators to detect the presence/absence of coliforms. If coliforms are presence, the culture is further analyzed to detect E. coli and fecal coliforms. Fecal coliforms are distinguished by their ability to grow at increased temperatures suggesting pathogenic potential |
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Sample types: |
Bulk sample, Dust sample, Soil sample, Swab sample, Water sample, Wipe sample, vitamin supplements |
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Available turnaround: |
Standard, Holiday-weekend rush, Next-day rush |
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PCR screen: Salmonella |
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Description: |
The PCR Pathogen Screen includes analysis for Salmonella that may be passed to humans. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is employed to detect the DNA of the Salmonella. Analysis is qualitative and results will be reported as Negative or Positive. |
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Sample types: |
Bulk sample, Swab sample, Water sample, Wipe sample |
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Available turnaround: |
Standard, Next-day |
How Summit Environmental Technologies, Inc. HELP?
Call us 505-345-3335 or email us at echavez [at] summitlabs.com and we will respond promptly to meet your needs!
At Summit Environmental Technologies New Mexico Division you WILL enjoy outstanding service, quality lab analysis, and excellent support. You'll also enjoy:
- Reliable turnaround times - Fast and consistent turnaround times to meet your needs
- Industry-leading service - Your dedicated Project Manager can assist with technical questions or project concerns
- Free FedEx shipping with no hidden costs on projects
- Easy to understand reports
- 24/7 secure online access to reports and invoices
- Highly trained, degreed analysts perform all analyses
- Quality services and accurate results you can trust
Additionally, we have added Nutraceuticals Testing
With the growing industry of homeopathic medicine and nutritional supplements, we know your top priority is producing high quality products. With increasing regulation by the FDA, compliance and quality issues can drain a company's valuable resources, including time, talent, money and patience.
The Summit Labs team is here to help you! We can assist you in gaining the competitive edge with our extensive knowledge of FDA regulations and USP standards.
We can help you build and implement a robust quality system that will withstand certified body and customer audits, saving you precious time to market and resources.
Summit Labs is located in Ohio, Georgia and our Newest Division in Albuquerque, NM. We are a leading laboratory service provider for the Nutraceutical industry, and can help you in all aspects of your laboratory needs!
Our team has extensive expertise with all aspects of compliance, including Validation, SOP Generation and Program Management. Summit Labs is committed to continually investing in the latest technology, assuring speed and efficiency as well as the highest level of quality in the industry. You can count on Summit Labs to help you get your products to market as early as possible, and within your budget!
Call us 505-345-3335 or email us at echavez [at] summitlabs.com and we will respond promptly to meet your needs!