AINIA / Metagenomics

Metagenomics

Omics technologies

Metagenomics

Metagenomics enables comprehensive analysis of microbiota in foods, ingredients, water, surfaces, and environmental or industrial matrices through high-throughput DNA sequencing without the need for culture. This technology provides unprecedented resolution of microbial genetic diversity, allowing the detection of even non-culturable organisms and understanding how formulations, processes, and environmental conditions influence quality, stability, and microbiological safety.

Applications

Using this technology, we can detect, identify, and quantify microorganisms and microbial functions across a wide variety of matrices. Specifically:

Identification of bacteria, fungi, and archaea in foods, ingredients, water, surfaces, and environmental and industrial settings.

Identification of microorganisms responsible for spoilage, deviations in fermentation processes, or cross-contamination.

Analysis of changes in microbiota following new formulations, thermal treatments, high-pressure processing, fermentations, or throughout shelf life.

Detection of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence, and metabolic pathways, enabling evaluation of the microbiota’s functional capabilities and their impact on product quality and stability.

Monitoring of starter cultures and microbiota evolution to ensure that fermentation progresses correctly and maintains the expected sensory profile and product quality.

Mapping of microbiota in facilities, plants, cleanrooms, surfaces, and equipment to identify niches, biofilms, and persistent flora in production lines.

AINIA’s competitive advantages

Extensive track record working with foods, ingredients, water, surfaces, and industrial environments where traditional methods present limitations.

We have a high-throughput sequencing platform that enables metagenomic analyses with high depth, flexible configuration, and high data quality.

We have high-performance analysis servers and validated pipelines for taxonomy, resistome, functional metagenomics, and comparative studies between batches, as well as the ability to develop customised analysis workflows.

Rapid adaptation of protocols for new formulations, innovative products, quality incidents, or specific R&D and food safety needs.

Complementary use with culture, qPCR, digital PCR, v-PCR, and physicochemical analyses within coordinated analytical plans, providing a comprehensive view of product quality and safety.

Specialised support throughout the project and online access to results and sample traceability via the MyLab platform.

Key equipment

High-throughput sequencing platform

With high resolution for complex volatile profiles and authenticity studies.

Omics Laboratory

Advanced infrastructure shared with proteomics and metabolomics platforms, suitable for integrated projects and in-depth molecular characterisation.

Bioinformatics analysis servers

High-performance systems with large storage capacity and validated pipelines for NGS analysis, resistome, functional metagenomics, and batch-to-batch comparison.

Featured cases

Ethylene oxide control

In response to the urgent need for a reliable method for ethylene oxide control, which affected multiple sectors including official control, our laboratories were the first in Europe to have analysis of this substance available across a significant number of food matrices. As a result, we were also the first to be designated as an official control laboratory by the authorities in our country. This enabled food companies to establish their own controls on raw materials such as spices, nuts, seeds, and other affected ingredients.

CEN / EN-ISO 18465 Standard

AINIA is part of the working group of the European Committee for Standardization CEN/TC275/WG6 “Microbiology of the food chain”, in which it has participated in the European validation of the EN-ISO 18465 standard for the analysis of cereulide toxin.

Application sectors

Food

Chemical

Cosmetic

Environment

Pharmaceutical

Agricultural

Healthcare

Industrial

Would you like to know more?

Leave us your details and we will contact you to answer your questions or continue the conversation.

Elías Hurtado

Omics technologies

Name

Surname

Company

Phone

Country

Province

Message

I consent to the use of my personal data to process my request, as established in its Privacy Policy.

I consent to the use of my data to receive information and commercial communications from your entity.

Basic information on data protection

Controller

AINIA

Address

Calle Benjamín Franklin, 5 a 11, CP 46980 Paterna (Valencia)

Purpose

To process, record and contact you to resolve the request you make through this contact form

Legal basis

Your data will be processed only with your consent, by ticking the box shown in this form

Recipients

Your data will not be shared with third parties

Rights

You have the right to request access to your data, correct or delete it, you may also request restriction of its processing, object to it and to the portability of your data, by contacting our postal address or privacy@ainia.es

More information

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy

DPD

If you have any questions about how we will process your data or wish to submit a suggestion or complaint, contact the Data Protection Officer at info@businessadapter.es or via the data subject request form

You may be interest in

Microbiological characterisation by molecular biology

Microbiological characterisation by culture

Immunological techniques

Calorimetry

Metabolomics and volatilomics

Chromatography