The rapid detection of human pathogens in fresh-cut products is a current limit for safety of these products. Between 2010 and 2011, the researchers of Università of Foggia (Italy) have analyzed 22 fresh-cut samples, containing different vegetable salads of different brands, these products were purchased from several supermarkets located in Puglia Region (Italy). The microbial analyses were performed to determine the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh-cut products.
The researchers have analyzed the contaminated samples combining the technique of the Most Probable Number (MPN) of pathogen with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for the pathogen DNA quantification. They have obtained reliable results in about 48 h and have defined the exclusivity and inclusivity criteria of Listeria spp.
The same authors have conducted a similar research on the quantification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh-cut mixed salads and of Escherichia coli O104:H4 in fresh-cut lettuce and rocket. The study has been presented to the 3rd National Conference of Società Italiana di Microbiologia Agraria, Alimentare ed Ambientale (SIMTREA), occurred in Bari (Italy) from 26 to 28 June 2012.
Original research. Russo P., Vernile A., Massa S., Spano G., Colelli G., Amodio M.L., "Quantification of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Vegetables Using MPN Method Associated to Quantitative Real-time PCR’, contribution to International Conference ‘Fresh-cut 2011", Torino, July 17-21, 2011, abstract.