Lab M expands Captivate range to encompass new E. coli strains

Lab M has announced that it will be expanding its Captivate range of antibody-coated paramagnetic particles to cover a wider range of E. coli strains.

The product range – which is designed for the specific immunomagnetic separation of microorganisms – will now encompass the E. coli strains O121, O45 and O91, in addition to the existing coverage for the O103, O111, O145, O157:H7 and O26 variants.

It means that Captivate now covers all of the "big six" strains of non-O157 Shiga-toxin producing E. coli highlighted by the US department of agriculture.

Lab M's product is used to accelerate the isolation of microorganisms in a way that allows results to be achieved 24 hours earlier than using standard protocols in most cases.

The company also offers a custom coating service, with Captivate serving as a capture mechanism for rapid detection systems.

Last month, Lab M announced the launch of the spring 2012 edition of its microbiological culture media technical manual, which reflects the ongoing expansion of the company's product portfolio.