The EDS2000 Endospore Detection System uses Ocean Optics' miniature spectrometer technology to detect and quantify the photoluminescence of bacterial endospores in suspect samples. It tests for the presence of a major spore component, which is extracted from the endospores when it is added to a reagent in a disposable test vial.
There are only two genera of bacteria known to produce endospores -- Clostridium and Bacillus, the latter of which includes Bacillus anthracis (anthrax).
"When high concentrations of these endospores are detected, it's a strong indication of foul play," said Ocean Optics in a statement. The company said the EDS2000 Endospore Detection System produces results of testing of high-concentration contamination within one second. It has a detection limit of 100,000 spores; "by comparison, the contaminated mail sent in late 2001 to the office of Sen. Tom Daschle was reported to have as many as 1 trillion spores per gram."
The Army's bacterial endospore technology (patent 5,876,960) is also being investigated for use in air monitoring systems and mail-sorting machinery.
For more information, visit: www.oceanoptics.com