Microorganism identification can provide critical insights that complement and significantly enhance the value of your routine testing. Microbial speciation is not limited to the confirmation of pathogenic organisms, it also plays a vital role in understanding the broader microbial ecosystem present in your samples.
Gaining knowledge about the bacterial and fungal populations can support a range of applications, such as:
- Incident investigation
- Root cause analysis (e.g. in cases of contamination)
- Cleaning validation (identification of surviving species, etc.)
- Characterization of dominant species detected through Aerobic Colony Count (ACC), Enterobacteriaceae, or yeast and mold enumeration
This deeper understanding supports both preventive and corrective actions and contributes to improving overall hygiene control and product quality.
We offer a comprehensive suite of identification tools to support your troubleshooting efforts and maximize the return on your microbiological testing investment. From rapid culture-based assessments to high-resolution genetic typing methods, we provide:
- Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization – Time of Flight (MALDI-ToF ): a rapid and cost-effective technology for microbial identification based on protein spectral fingerprints. Ideal for routine speciation of bacteria in pure cultures
- Microbial identification by Sanger sequencing: sequencing of targeted specific genetic markers such as 16S rRNA (for bacteria) or ITS regions (for fungi), offering higher accuracy for isolates that cannot be resolved by MALDI-ToF alone
- Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST): to differentiate strains based on the sequencing of multiple housekeeping genes. Useful for strain tracking, outbreak investigations and epidemiological studies
- Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS): the most comprehensive approach for in-depth characterization, WGS provides detailed information about virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance genes and phylogenetic relationships. This is especially powerful for high-stakes investigations, regulatory challenges and strain-level differentiation.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Christophe Noel
Director of Innovation
t: +44 (0) 151 350 6666
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
