May 24, 2007

Danish scientists develops faster salmonella detection method

Scientists from Denmark have shortened the time it takes to detect salmonella from the current 5 days to just 12 hours.

The method, to be used for detecting salmonella in poultry, is a DNA-based method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Real-time PCR technology in recent results has shown to offer several advantages in detecting salmonella.

The tests consists of eight hours of pre-enrichment, followed by automated DNA extraction and a sensitive real-time PCR. The method would attempt to yield the highest amount of cells and DNA.

The results were compared to a reference culture method, which previously tested 100 minced meat and poultry samples following 24 hours of pre-enrichment and showed relative accuracy and sensitivity.

It was successfully demonstrated that the 12-hour PCR method for salmonella detection produced results comparable to those of the reference culture method with artificially inoculated pork meat and poultry samples, the researchers said.

The scientists' findings have been published by the American Society for Microbiology.