System, devices, and methods for food sample processing for pathogen detection

A method for food sample processing for pathogen detection, comprising:

• introducing a food or beverage into an enclosure configured to contain one or both of a food or beverage sample, the food or beverage sample comprising the food or beverage and a growth medium, the enclosure comprising a first sealable opening at a first end of the enclosure, the first sealable opening defined by opposing side panels of the enclosure and configured to receive the food or beverage, and a second sealable opening at a second end of the enclosure and defined at least in part by the opposing side panels of the enclosure;
• introducing the growth medium into the enclosure via a spout coupled to the second sealable opening;
• incubating the enclosure containing the food or beverage sample and the growth medium;
• and
• extracting a fluid sample from the enclosure via the spout.

A method for food sample processing for pathogen detection, comprising:

• introducing a food or beverage into an enclosure configured to contain one or both of a food or beverage sample, the food or beverage sample comprising the food or beverage and a growth medium, the enclosure comprising a first sealable opening at a first end of the enclosure, the first sealable opening defined by opposing side panels of the enclosure and configured to receive the food or beverage, and a second sealable opening at a second end of the enclosure and defined at least in part by the opposing side panels of the enclosure;
• introducing the growth medium into the enclosure via a spout coupled to the second sealable opening;
• incubating the enclosure containing the food or beverage sample;
• coupling a filtration device to the spout of enclosure;
• applying a pressure differential across the filtration device;
• and
• extracting a retentate from the filtration device.

A system for food sample processing for pathogen detection, comprising:

• an array of processing pods, each of the processing pods comprising a tubular cavity configured to receive a container, each of the processing pods comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, each of the processing pods being sealable and configured to have a pressure applied therein;
• and
• a plurality of containers, each container comprising
• a container base including two or more enrichment bag receiving bays, each receiving bay comprising a waste conduit outlet;
• and
• a waste conduit in fluid communication with each waste conduit outlet and with an external environment via the fluid outlet of each processing pod.

A method for using a system for food sample processing for pathogen detection, comprising:

• introducing a food or beverage into an enrichment bag including an enclosure comprising a first sealable opening at a first end of the enclosure and a second sealable opening at a second end of the enclosure, wherein the first sealable opening is defined by opposing side panels of the enclosure and is configured to receive a food or beverage sample comprising the food or beverage and a growth medium, and the second sealable opening is defined at least in part by the opposing side panels of the enclosure;
• introducing the growth medium into the enclosure via a spout coupled to the second sealable opening;
• incubating the enclosure containing the food or beverage sample and the growth medium;
• coupling a filtration device to the spout;
• positioning the enrichment bag within an enrichment bag receiving bay of a container;
• fitting the container within a processing pod of an array of processing pods;
• applying a pressure differential across the filtration device;
• and
• extracting a retentate from the filtration device.