The Concept of Molecular Food Microbiology - Essay Example

? Health & Safety Requirements Submitted [Pick the Health & Safety Requirement of Food Microbiology Food microbiology concerns with the study of microorganisms that have a tendency of affecting the quality and overall nature of food by making it contaminated. Whereas the subject is rather vast itself, there are several health and safety requirements to be fulfilled while examining food for microorganisms uniformly. The due procedures required for the detection of pathogens in raw and processed food should be duly followed. These requirements may vary according to the nature of food and the region in which such laws are being exercised. Apart from detection and enumeration of pathogenic micro-organisms, the associated risks of diseases should also be identified. There are several specialist and reference tests that can be carried out to do the needful. Along with risk identification, the possible routes of disease transmission and risks for more severe diseases should also be identified. Since global medical bodies have uniform rules and regulations in this regard, these can be used for further referencing. These specialisation tests are performed to verify microbiological results, identify rare pathogens, analyse possibilities of disease outbreaks, detect toxins, and distinguish between non-pathogenic and pathogenic variants (Health Protection Agency, 2009). Food microbiology forms an important part of hazard analysis critical control point along with quality control and risk assessment. Assessing potential risks, critical control points, setting up procedures, monitoring, using corrective measures, record keeping and keeping the system functional are some stages of health and safety requirements in order to avoid contamination and cross-contamination, along with suitable storage techniques (Mealey, 2013; Food Standards Agency, 2009). Health and Safety Requirements in Spectrophotometry Spectrophotometry is used to study reflection and absorption properties of a material. While handling instruments related to UV-visible and IR spectrophotometry, it is important to use certain cautionary measures. Since the instruments contain high voltage, such parts must remain concealed. In addition, the UV rays experience transversion. Exposure to trasverse light beams can cause damage to the eyes. The correct material and size of the cuvette used are also of fundamental importance as these two factors play a vital role allowing the light to pass with the selected wavelength (GE Healthcare Life Sciences, 2011). Instrument validation and lamp alignment are some of the major requirements when it comes to quality control in spectrophotometry. Other requirements include identification of potential hazards such as UV and chemical hazards along with personal protective equipment care. While using chemicals that are flammable, corrosive, toxic or otherwise dangerous, the use of appropriate clothing and glasses is necessary. When there are spill and accidents reported, only trained personnel should be allowed to take necessary corrective measures (Laurier Research Instrumentation, 2007). Cleaning of instruments used for spectrophotometry should be performed with the help of health and safety manuals provided by the instrument manufacturers. Most of the manufacturers recommend cleaning with soft cloth. Use of abrasives and organic solvents shall not be recommended. Waste disposal procedures should also be performed in accordance with health and safety requirements. Other details such as UV and visible standards, wavelength accuracy standards and use of stray light filters should be taken care of before beginning the procedures. Health & Safety Requirements in Molecular Microbiology Molecular microbiology is the study of physiological processes taking place in the unicellular and multi-cell microorganisms. Usually under this area, organisms that are eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses are discussed at length. Some of the major health and safety requirements include recognition of the risks and threats acting at the laboratory level. Since most of the microorganisms are capable of inducing infection, using appropriate clothing and other measures such as eye covers and masks are included in safety requirements. While assessing the safety requirements in accordance with the experiment being performed and the microorganisms being studied, it is important that hazardous characteristics of these agents be known to those involved in the research. Furthermore, hazards related to the experiment being performed should also be recorded and mitigated prior to the research. Equipment and facility inspection makes an important part of health and safety requirements in molecular microbiology (Centre of Disease Control, 2009). Once the agents that are dangerous have been identified, a biosecuirty programme should be devised. This involves identification and prioritisation of biological materials, identification of threats to these materials, analysis of the risks to the specific security scenarios, development of the risk management programme and re-assessment of this programme. The elements that should be considered while devising these programmes should be physical security, personnel management, inventory and accountability, information security, transport of biological agents, accidents and related responses, reporting and communication, specific trainings, security updates and evaluations, and compliance with the guidelines of specific medial bodies (CDC, 2009). Health & Safety Requirements in Microscopy Microscopy involves usage of microscopes for studying organisms and objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye. There are various types of microscopes such as electron, ultraviolet, infrared, digital holographic and laser microscopes. However, there are a few general requirements that can be followed. It is important that assembling and disassembling of the given devices be performed by trained professionals. Therefore, when the repair is intended, it should not be at power. In addition, some of these microscopes use halogen bulbs which can carry a huge amount of heat (Microscope.com, 2013). Carrying microscopes with suitable support is important. Instead of just holding the arm, the base should also be supported. As far as cleaning of microscopes is concerned, strong abrasives and cleaning agents should be avoided. Instead, pressurised air or a soft brush is a more suitable option. A clean lens paper and alcohol – ether and isopropyl alcohol mixtures can be used for cleaning microscope lenses. For the body, a soft cloth is appropriate. It is also important to ensure that appropriate temperature is available during microscopy. A suitable temperature lies between 0 and 40 degree Celsius whereas required humidity is 85 percent. Drying the apparatus is important to avoid any kind of rusting. Further safety involves using a dust cover in dry storage. In a higher humidity environment, it is suggested that waterproof containers should be used. Keeping microscopes in sunlight and performing microscopy can impair the desired results. Using appropriate ergonomics is also an important health and safety requirement (Zeiss.com, 2013). References Centre of Disease Control, 2009. Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories. [online] Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/bmbl.pdf [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Food Standards Agency, 2009. General guidance for food business operators. EC Regulation No. 2073/2005 Microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. [online] Available at: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/ecregguidmicrobiolcriteria.pdf. GE Healthcare Life Sciences, 2011. Spectrophotometer health & safety document including general operating instructions. [online] Available at: https://www.gelifesciences.com/gehcls_images/GELS/Related%20Content/Files/1326706518989/litdoc29004778_20120417170049.pdf [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Health Protection Agency, 2009. Guidelines for assessing the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat foods. London: Health Protection Agency. Laurier Research Instrumentation, 2007. User guidelines & standard operating procedure for the Cary 50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. [online] Available at: http://www.wlu.ca/documents/25790/Cary_UVVis.pdf [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Mealey, L., 2013. Food safety rules & regulations. [online] Available at: http://restaurants.about.com/od/foodsafetylaw/a/FoodSafety.htm [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Microscope.com, 2013. Safety & machine. [online] Available at: http://www.microscope.com/education-center/microscopes-101/safety-and-maintenance/ [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Zeiss.com, 2013. Axiolab microscope for transmitted light and incident-light fluorescence. [online] Available at: http://www.zeiss.com/C1256F8500454979/0/970D8A14DAB76214C1256F8F00324602/$file/g-4201301axiolab.pdf [Accessed 3 June, 2013]. Read More