Probiotic Testing | CFU Enumeration & Strain ID | NABL Accredited
A probiotic supplement that fails to deliver the labelled CFU at end of shelf life is unsupported under FSSAI Section 53 and exposed to marketplace delisting and consumer dispute. Backed by the Arbro Group's unbroken NABL accreditation since 2003, Auriga Research delivers probiotic viable cell enumeration and strain identification at the rigour required by FSSAI, EFSA, and the international probiotic industry.
Probiotic claims are regulated under the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, FSMP, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations 2016, with viable cell counts referenced against AOAC 989.10, ISO 27205 / ISO 29981, and USP <62> / IP 2018 for pharma-boundary probiotics. Our scope covers single-strain and multi-strain enumeration on selective media for Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, and Streptococcus thermophilus, with 16S / 18S rRNA strain identity, mandatory FSSAI pathogen exclusion (Salmonella, E. coli, S. aureus), and optional EFSA-pattern antibiotic resistance and gastric-bile survival assays.
Probiotic samples are received under cold chain and registered in YLIMS for full traceability; enumeration begins within 24 hours of receipt to preserve viable count integrity.
Testing Parameters
Each parameter is mapped to its method or pharmacopoeial reference so QA and regulatory teams can match scope to FSSAI / ISO / USP requirements at a glance.
Lactobacillus Enumeration
Selective MRS agar (anaerobic, 37 °C / 72 h) for L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. reuteri. Strain identity confirmed on suspected colonies.
Bifidobacterium Enumeration
TOS-MUP / BSM selective agar under anaerobic conditions for B. lactis, B. bifidum, B. longum, B. breve. Confirmed by Gram stain and 16S rRNA.
Bacillus Spore Count
Heat-shock at 80 °C / 10 min followed by MYP agar plating for B. coagulans, B. subtilis, B. clausii spore enumeration.
Saccharomyces boulardii
YPD agar with chloramphenicol — selective enumeration of S. boulardii in yeast probiotic supplements.
Streptococcus thermophilus
M17 selective agar at 42 °C for S. thermophilus in synbiotic and fermented-food supplements.
Bacterial Strain ID
16S rRNA gene amplification and Sanger sequencing for strain identity confirmation against curated databases (RDP, GenBank, EzBioCloud).
Yeast Strain ID
18S rRNA and ITS region sequencing for Saccharomyces and Kluyveromyces strain identification at species level.
Strain Quantification by qPCR
Strain-specific quantitative PCR for hard-to-culture probiotics or where mixed-strain enumeration on selective media is ambiguous.
Salmonella (Probiotic)
Mandatory pathogen exclusion test on probiotic supplements — FSSAI requires absence in 25 g.
E. coli (Probiotic)
Mandatory pathogen exclusion test — FSSAI requires E. coli absent in 1 g of finished probiotic supplement.
Antibiotic Resistance Profile
EFSA-recommended antibiotic susceptibility testing on probiotic strains to confirm absence of transferable antibiotic resistance.
Gastric & Bile Survival
In-vitro simulated gastric (pH 2.0) and bile (0.3% bile salt) survival assay — supports functional claim substantiation on the probiotic label.
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share your product type and the parameters you need tested. Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the testing scope, the applicable method, and the exact sample quantity required for your specific panel before you dispatch anything.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.
Testing and QA Review
Your sample is tested against the confirmed validated method by Auriga's scientific team. Every result passes through a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI under the Health Supplements Regulations 2016, BIS, and international buyers. You can track your sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point in the process.
Turnaround Time
| Panel | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Single-strain CFU enumeration | 7–10 working days | 7 days |
| Multi-strain CFU enumeration (≥ 3 strains) | 10–14 working days | On request |
| Strain identity confirmation (16S / 18S rRNA) | + 3–5 days | Available |
| FSSAI pathogen exclusion (Salmonella, E. coli, S. aureus) | 7–10 working days | 5 days |
| Gastric / bile survival functional assay | 10–14 working days | — |
| Antibiotic resistance profile (EFSA pattern) | 14–18 working days | On request |
Who Needs This Testing
- Probiotic and synbiotic supplement brands launching on Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, and BigBasket — marketplaces require CFU substantiation before listing.
- Probiotic manufacturers preparing FSSAI Form B nutraceutical licence applications under the Health Supplements Regulations 2016 with declared CFU counts.
- D2C gut-health, immunity, and women's wellness brands needing strain identity authentication beyond supplier certificates of analysis.
- AYUSH-licensed probiotic and traditional medicine brands needing IP 2018 / USP <62> pharmacopoeial pathogen control alongside CFU enumeration.
- Brands building shelf-life dossiers — pairing probiotic CFU enumeration with stability testing through the labelled expiry period.
- Contract manufacturers and CDMOs running batch release CFU enumeration on every probiotic SKU produced.
- International probiotic brands and importers needing EFSA-pattern antibiotic resistance and functional survival data to support cross-border claims.
Why Auriga for Probiotic Testing
Unbroken NABL accreditation since 2003
Arbro Group has held NABL ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation continuously since 2003 covering selective culture, anaerobic incubation, and pathogen control scope.
Selective media for every major strain
Validated selective media for Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Saccharomyces, and Streptococcus thermophilus — multi-strain probiotics enumerated strain-by-strain.
In-house 16S / 18S rRNA sequencing
Strain identity confirmation without dispatch to external sequencing partners — faster turnaround on strain authentication and dispute resolution.
Cold chain sample handling
Dedicated cold chain sample receipt protocol — registered in YLIMS with full audit trail; enumeration begins within 24 hours to preserve CFU integrity.
FSSAI + USP / IP scope on the same sample
Both food-side (FSSAI) and pharma-side (USP <62>, IP 2018) microbial control on the same probiotic sample — covers AYUSH-licensed probiotic claims.
Functional and resistance assays
Optional gastric / bile survival and EFSA-pattern antibiotic susceptibility on request — supports functional claim substantiation and international compliance.