Validation of the Eclipse Farm 4G & COMET for Detection of Antibiotics in Raw Bovine Milk: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 022101.

Background The Eclipse Farm 4 G test coupled to the COMET device allows for automatic and easy screening of a broad range of antimicrobials in raw bovine milk. All results obtained with this system are available in real-time through a smartphone application (App) and in the Test4all cloud platform. Objective The objective of this study was to validate Eclipse Farm 4 G & COMET for the screening of antimicrobials in raw bovine milk according to AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM procedures. Method The test is based on the inhibition of microbial growth of Geobacillus stearothermophilus in presence of antimicrobials. When sample tubes are incubated in the absence of antibiotics, spores germinate and cells grow changing medium color from purple to yellow (negative result). The presence of antimicrobials in the milk sample hinders bacterial growth preventing the tubes from changing color from purple to yellow (positive result). The COMET device automatically integrates all assay steps (incubation, time control, and results interpretation) and communications between device, smartphone, and cloud. Results LODs and detection capabilities (CCβs) were confirmed to be at or below the EU-MRL for most of the evaluated molecules representing the main families of antimicrobials (penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides, and aminoglycosides). False positive rate and the effect of potentially interfering substances showed sufficient selectivity/specificity. Eclipse Farm 4 G & COMET was shown to be robust, consistent and stable during shelf life. Conclusions The Eclipse Farm 4 G & COMET system has been shown to be suitable for screening antibiotics in raw bovine milk. Highlights The assay is an automatic and easy system for the detection of a broad range of antibiotics in raw bovine milk consistent with EU-MRLs and can provide results anytime and anywhere through a smartphone App and a cloud platform.