<i>SALMONELLA</i> DETECTION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AFTER PRE‐ENRICHMENT OF FEED SAMPLES

Abstract

ABSTRACT A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was developed for analysis of viable Salmonella spp. in feed samples and scrapings from feed mills. The objective was to develop a cost‐effective, user‐friendly method that could be performed within ordinary working hours. A single pre‐enrichment was enough for most feed raw materials. However, scrapings and pellets required additional pre‐enrichment. The results indicate that inhibition of the PCR reaction was correlated with a pH value below 7.0 in the first pre‐enrichment. Results of the PCR procedure were in agreement with the established culture‐based Nordic Committee on Food Analysis method in spiked samples. The developed PCR procedure can be used as a routine analysis method for feed samples and samples from a Salmonella feed control program based on hazard analysis critical control point principles.