New 12-hour Salmonella test

Detecting salmonella can take up to 5 days before results are known. Real-time PCR technology in recent results has shown to offer several advantages in detecting salmonella.

Researchers in this latest study developed a 12-hour DNA-based method for detecting salmonella bacteria using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This test was developed based on eight hours of pre-enrichment, followed by automated DNA extraction and a sensitive real-time PCR. The method, published by the American Society for Microbiology, attempts to yield the highest amount of cells and DNA.

Next, 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 of 99% and specificity of 100%.

"It was successfully demonstrated that the optimized 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," say the researchers. "The main advantage of the method developed is the reduced time of analysis, enabling faster release of Salmonella-free fresh meat."