Learn all about microbiology in the fields of food and cosmetics: our fact sheets provide scientifically sound information, practical explanations, and up-to-date insights into microbiological quality assurance.
Foods
Fact sheet on yeasts
Fact sheet on yeasts in cosmetics GeneralYeasts are unicellular fungi mainly assigned to the taxonomic group of sac fungi (Ascomycota). In cosmetic products they are tolerated only in low numbers. Detection can, for…
Fact sheet on pathogenic Yersinia species (e.g., Yersinia enterocolitica)
Fact sheet on pathogenic Yersinia (e.g. Yersinia enterocolitica) in food GeneralYersinia spp. is a genus of bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. They are widespread in the environment. Some members play…
Fact sheet on thermotolerant Campylobacter, especially Campylobacter jejuni
Fact sheet on thermotolerant Campylobacter, particularly Campylobacter jejuni, in foods General informationThermotolerant Campylobacter, particularly the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, are the most frequent causes of…
Fact sheet on sulfite-reducing clostridia and Clostridium perfringens
Fact sheet on sulfite-reducing clostridia and Clostridium perfringens in foods General informationClostridia are a genus of spore-forming bacteria that can only multiply in the absence of oxygen (strict anaerobes).…
Fact sheet on STEC / VTEC / EHEC
Fact sheet on STEC / VTEC / EHEC in foods GeneralCertain strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), such as STEC (Shiga toxin–producing E. coli) or VTEC (verotoxin-producing E. coli), can cause foodborne illness. These can…
Fact sheet on moulds
Fact sheet on molds in food GeneralMolds are a heterogeneous group of filamentous fungi. Most molds belong to the taxonomic groups of sac fungi (Ascomycota) and zygote fungi (Zygomycota). Molds are widespread in our…
Fact sheet on Salmonella
Fact sheet on Salmonella in foods General informationSalmonella (= Salmonella) are bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. As causes of gastrointestinal diseases, Salmonella play an important role worldwide. These…
Fact sheet on Pseudomonads and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Fact sheet on Pseudomonads and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in foods GeneralPseudomonads belong to the family Pseudomonaceae. Many Pseudomonas species are food spoilage organisms, as they can cause unpleasant odors and…
Fact sheet on presumptive Bacillus cereus
Fact sheet on presumptive Bacillus cereus in foods GeneralThe term „presumptive Bacillus cereus“ describes a group of closely related Bacillus cereus strains that can cause disease in humans and animals.Bacillus cereus…
Norovirus fact sheet
Fact sheet on Noroviruses in food GeneralNoroviruses are common worldwide and are one of the most frequent causes of gastrointestinal illness. Infection occurs via contaminated food or water or via smear (fomite) and…
Cosmetics
Fact sheet on Staphylococcus aureus
Profile of Staphylococcus aureus in cosmetics General informationStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a bacterium that commonly occurs on the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals. It belongs to the group of…
Fact sheet on molds
Fact sheet on moulds in cosmetics General informationMoulds are a heterogeneous group of filamentous fungi. Most moulds belong to the taxonomic groups of sac fungi (Ascomycota) and zygote fungi (Zygomycota). Moulds are…
Fact sheet on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pseudomonads
Fact sheet on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and pseudomonads in cosmetics General informationPseudomonads belong to the family Pseudomonaceae. Of particular relevance for cosmetics is the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as it…
Fact sheet on "Pluralibacter gergoviae (formerly Enterobacter gergoviae)"
Fact sheet on "Pluralibacter gergoviae (formerly Enterobacter gergoviae)" in cosmetics General informationPluralibacter gergoviae belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is of particular importance for cosmetics…
Fact sheet on lactic acid bacteria
Fact sheet on lactic acid bacteria in cosmetics GeneralLactic acid bacteria mostly belong to the family Lactobacillaceae (e.g. Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus). They are able to break down sugars and other…
Fact sheet on acetic acid bacteria
Profile of acetic acid bacteria in cosmetics General informationAcetic acid bacteria belong to the family Acetobacteraceae. They are able to oxidize ethanol to acetic acid and therefore play an important role in product…
Fact sheet on Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in cosmetics GeneralEscherichia coli (E. coli) belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae and is a natural intestinal inhabitant of humans and animals. They are able to survive for…
Fact sheet on Enterobacteriaceae
Profile of Enterobacteriaceae in cosmetics GeneralEnterobacteriaceae (= enterobacteria) play an important role in cosmetics. This large family of bacteria includes numerous genera with different relevance and…
Fact sheet on Candida albicans
Profile of Candida albicans in cosmetics GeneralCandida albicans belongs to the yeasts and is a unicellular fungus, which is mainly assigned to the taxonomic group of sac fungi (Ascomycota). ISO 17516 sets limits for…
Fact sheet on Burkholderia sp.
Fact sheet on "Burkholderia sp." in cosmetics General informationBacteria belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex play an important role in cosmetics. They can especially grow in water-containing products if…