A COMPARISON OF IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION PLUS ENRICHMENT WITH CONVENTIONAL SALMONELLA CULTURE IN THE EXAMINATION OF RAW SAUSAGES

Immunomagnetic separation with additional enrichment was used in conjunction with improved selective media to improve the isolation of salmonellae from raw sausages. The isolation rate achieved was almost double that of conventional culture with no increase in processing time. The selective media gave an overall specificity of approximately 74%; all false-positive pick-offs being identified as Citrobacter freundii. It is believed that this method represents a significant advance in the isolation of salmonellae from foods, although the ideal media both for enrichment and selection have pet to be found.