Author/Authors :
Jeyaletchumi, P. Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence for Food Safety Research, Malaysia , Tunung, R. Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence for Food Safety Research, Malaysia , Margaret, S. P. Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Center of Excellence for Food Safety Research, Malaysia , Son, R. Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence for Food Safety Research, Malaysia , Ghazali, F. M. Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Centre of Excellence for Food Safety Research, Malaysia , Cheah, Y. K Universiti Putra Malaysia - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Biomedical Science, Malaysia , Nishibuchi, M. Kyoto University - Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Japan , Nakaguchi, Y. Kyoto University - Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Japan , Malakar, P. K. Norwich University Park - Institute of Food Research - Department of Food Safety Science, UK
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to assess the most probable number-polymerase chain reaction (MPNPCR) technique for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in salad vegetables in comparison with reference EN ISO 11290-2 and Food Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual method using artificial and naturally contaminated samples. Based on recovery of L. monocytogenes from artificially contaminated samples, MPN-PCR showed a moderate correlation (R=0.67) between spiking concentration and microbial levels which was better than the FDA-BAM method (R=0.642) and ISO 11290-2:1998 method (R=0.655). With naturally contaminated samples, it was found that L. monocytogenes was detected in 25% of the vegetable samples using MPN-PCR; 15% of the samples by the FDA-BAM method and 8% of samples using ISO 11290-2:1998 method. Overall, MPN-PCR was found to be a rapid and reliable method that could facilitate the enumeration of L. monocytogenes in vegetables.
Keywords :
Listeria monocytogenes , enumeration , salad vegetables , MPN , PCR
