The Procter & Gamble Company is implementing the Celsis ReACT molecular assay at its liquid detergent manufacturing sites worldwide. The two-hour ReACT test is being used as a follow-up to Celsis' AKuScreen test, which P&G currently uses as a primary screen for the release of their products. AKuScreen is an adenylate kinase (AK)-based assay, which generates definitive microbiological test results in under 24 hours.

“P&G's reputation is founded on quality. We want to assure that the consumer gets a safe, reliable product,” said Neil Lewis, Global Microbiology Delivery Organization Technical Leader, P&G. On the rare occasion when a product sample tests positive and further analysis is required, the Celsis ReACT RNA-based secondary assay is used to determine the possible source of an organism.

'In our validation of ReACT, we have found it to be more accurate than a standard Gram stain test which is what we use it for,' said Lewis. ”We've not only got a faster test, but we've got a better test. ReACT has a huge potential that I don't think we've started to fully understand yet, given we've only been using it for 6-9 months now,' he added.

The ReACT product grew out of earlier collaborative discussions on how Celsis could help P&G's quality teams respond to potential problems faster while maintaining customer safety as a top priority.

'The global supply leadership team at P&G have been more than proponents and users of our rapid screening systems. They have been true collaborative partners with Celsis in helping to define our industry's next generation market needs,' said Jay LeCoque, CEO of Celsis International Ltd.

Celsis ReACT is an easy-to-use molecular assay for detecting objectionable organisms quickly and definitively without the need for expensive equipment or specialized training. It is based on molecular technology that targets 16S or 18S rRNA to match a microbial classification or species using an integrated probe set. More information, including an animated demonstration of the ReACT technology, is online at Celsis.com/react.

P&G, maker of many of the world's leading brands, has been a Celsis customer since 1994. The company was a beta tester of the ReACT assay and recently collaborated with Celsis to produce a webinar, “How Procter & Gamble Delivers Operational Savings Through Lean Quality” which is free to view although registration is required.