Development of Real-time PCR Methodology for the Rapid Enumeration of Low Numbers of Salmonella/Gram of Ground Beef Without Enrichment

The study developed methodology to allow the Rti-PCR reaction to detect low numbers (5 cells/g) of Salmonella in ground beef of 7, 15, and 27% fat.

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Objectives:

The goal of these proposed studies was to develop methodology to allow the Rti-PCR reaction to detect low numbers (5 cells/g) of Salmonella in ground beef of 7, 15, and 27% fat within 4 hrs. without enrichment.

Conclusions:

The use of β-cyclodextrin and milk protein coated activated carbon allowed the PCR to detect 3 seeded CFU (cells) of Salmonella/g without enrichment of samples, using ground beef containing  7, 15, and 27 % fat.   The total assay time was 4.5 hr.

Deliverable:

This assay, specific for all Salmonella serotypes, will allow the meat processing industry to detect and quantify the presence of Salmonella  well before shipment so as to prevent costly recalls.  The additional costs for laboratory personnel and assay materials and equipment should be more than offset by the reduction in indemnification premiums that should result from adoption of this assay.