To increase the sensitivity for PCR methods of detection of microbial foodborne pathogens, the bacterial numbers are normally enriched from 5 hours to overnight. Is it possible to reduce this enrichment time by concentrating the cells in a sample using latex beads? I understand there is a method using antibodies bound to the beads but I would like to avoid this if possible. If anyone has any references or experience with this can they help ?
Hi Alexander, thank you for your interest. I am researching any work done on any organism because it's the method principle that I'm looking for. As to the alternative to antibodies..that is again not specific but again my question, I would like to know if anybody has tried anything else.
Kind regards
Hi Karen:
That is a big issue. I think that the beads are not universal for all microbial cells and would only work specifically for some targets such as Salmonella,etc. I am afraid that you would have to consider classical methods such as filtration and centrifugation. I am enclosing a couple of references as starting point.
http://www.rapidmicrobiology.com/test-method/separation-and-concentration-of-microorganisms-from-food-matrices/
http://www.medwelljournals.com/fulltext/?doi=jftech.2011.106.111
Best regards
Jorge
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