NSF adds DNA sequencing to food safety services

NSF International is expanding its commercially available DNA analysis services for food safety and supply chain management to include next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. NSF International’s NGS services include whole genome sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, 16s metagenomics and genomic barcoding.

“Next generation sequencing is a powerful leap forward in organism analysis,” said Jesse D. Miller, director of NSF International’s Applied Research Center. “Through knowledgeable use of simple processing, bioinformatics tools and workflows, we are able to understand and elucidate every base pair of an organism and every organism in a population.”

The new services can be used in the following ways:

• Bacteria: Whole genome sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, 16s metagenomics, and genomic barcoding are used to identify individual organisms, compare and track organisms, and map the bacterial community in a sample, including identifying potentially dangerous bacterial contamination of products.
• Botanical ingredients: Whole genome sequencing and genomic barcoding are used to identify and authenticate botanical content in products.
• Proprietary blends: Whole genome sequencing and genomic barcoding are used to identify and authenticate the contents of proprietary blends.