Evaluation of Simple and Rapid Shiga Toxin Gene Detection of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Food Using 3M TM Molecular Detection Assay2-STEC Gene Screen Kit

The sensitivity of the 3M TM Molecular Detection Assay 2-STEC Gene Screen (stx) assay (3M MDA2 STEC assay) was evaluated for verotoxin (VT) gene screening from food materials. The pure culture and foods such as sliced beef, tandoori paste, cucumber, etc. were used for this study. The sensitivity was obtained as 3 to 4 log CFU/mL in enrichment broth (BPW and mEC), which was cultured with food matrices. These results showed this detection kit was suitable the notification of standard methods from Ministry of health, which requires 4 log CFU/mL as detection limit in enrichment broth. This assay was useful as a rapid and simple screening method for VT gene from foods.