Implementation of classical, molecular biological and immunoenzymatic methods in isolation and detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food

Abstract

Food borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria are influencing the safety and quality of food and animal feed and can result in serious adverse effects to human and animal health as well as to the food quality. Consequently, microbiological quality control in the food industry has become the priority of the food producers and it aims towards minimizing the risks related to food pathogens and spoilage bacteria. One of the most important pathogens in the food industry is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis has a significant public health and economic impact because of its high hospitalization and mortality rate. Most people infected with Listeria are hospitalized and mortality is approximately 30 %. Therefore it is necessary to undertake efficient control measures, especially concerning the necessity of a rapid and accurate detection of this pathogen in the food industry as well as in retail food samples. Recently used conventional methods are often time consuming and require intensive work. However, obtained results can often be false considering the presence of viable but not cultivable microorganisms. Advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics have resulted in the development of novel testing technologies that enable tracking, more reliable and faster detection of food pathogens. Furthermore, molecular-biology methods, although still not applied routinely in everyday practice, are the promising alternative which can replace current reference methods in this area.

Keywords

• Listeria monocytogenes
• laboratory detection methods
• rapid tests