Evaluation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction–Based System for Detection of Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria spp., and Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

• DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-64.6.788
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01T16:49:35Z
• Authors: Adrienne E.H. She...; Christine M. Strapp; Rolf D. Joerger
• Keywords: Salmonella enteritidis

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection system, BAX, was evaluated for its sensitivity in detecting Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria sp., and monocytogenes on fresh produce. Fifteen different types of produce (alfalfa sprouts, green peppers, parsley, white cabbage, radishes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, apples, oranges) were inoculated, separate studies, with E. L. down to the predicted level 1 CFU per 25-g sample. Detection by BAX compared recovery inoculated bacteria culture methods according Food Drug Administration's (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). essentially as sensitive culture-based method Enteritidis more than O157:H7 pepper, carrot, radish, sprout samples. pathogenic samples spiked a number less 10 possible most samples, but both failed detect carrot one two mushroom onion 100 CFU. Both also unable consistently recover low numbers from alfalfa sprouts. The PCR allowed at least 2 days earlier conventional methods.