Have you ever wondered how meats, eggs, and other foods are guaranteed safe enough for you to eat? Several processes can remove harmful pathogens from raw food items that are meant for human consumption. One method is through the use of UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth, a specially formulated liquid that contains elements capable of identifying bacterial infection in foods. Here are some things to know about this important liquid.
1) What is UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth?
Listeria monocytogenes are the cause of a very dangerous foodborne illness called listeriosis. This disease can particularly affect pregnant women and individuals with a compromised immune system. Listeria is found in unprocessed foods, such as hot dogs, deli meat, soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, some seafood, and raw sprouts. It can lead to serious blood or brain infections and even death. That is why a solution for effectively detecting the presence of Listeria contamination is so vital in the food industry.
UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth performs this task by isolating Listeria in food samples so that proper precautions can be taken to remove the impacted items from grocery store shelves and restaurants. UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth is created through a special formula of extracts (beef and yeast), enzymes, salts, and chemicals, including soda chloride and phosphates. These elements work together to selectively isolate Listeria monocytogenes from the food. UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth has a fairly decent shelf life, but it is sensitive to light and heat so take precautions during storage to prevent deterioration.
2) How do you properly use UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth?
UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth is used solely in a laboratory. Food samples that are suspected of being infected are collected into sterile containers. A portion of the UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth is then added to the specimen and incubated. Once the incubation period is complete, the newly formed enrichment mixture is analyzed to determine the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and to measure the motility of the bacteria. Only sterile materials and equipment must be used during the procedure to avoid cross-contamination. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a guide with detailed instructions outlining the entire procedure and how it should be implemented in a laboratory setting based on the type of food sample.
3) Are there any limitations to using it to isolate Listeria?
There are some definite precautions to consider with UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth. The most important of these limitations is that the broth can only be used by qualified and trained personnel in a secure laboratory. Additionally, the specimens must always be treated as hazardous and possibly infectious. This means that extra measures are necessary to ensure the safe handling of the samples. Lab technicians must also be extremely careful not to inhale or consume the specimen, and they should never allow the sample to touch their skin.
Contact UVM Modified Listeria Enrichment Broth suppliers to learn more.