Model examination of selective media for isolation of Listeria strains.

Abstract

During the Tenth International Symposium on Listeriosis (Pécs, Hungary, 1988) the Working Party on Culture Media of IUMS-ICFMH suggested comparative examination of nine enrichment broths and nine solid selective media. On the basis of this proposal the following media were studied: LiCl-phenylethanol-moxalactam agar (LPM), polymyxin-acriflavine-LiCl-ceftazidime-aesculin-mannitol agar (PALCAM) No. 1 (home made) and No. 2 (Merck), acriflavine-ceftazidime agar (AC), Oxford agar, tripaflavine-nalidixic acid serum agar (TNSA) and Forray's agar. The study was performed as described in "Testing methods for use in quality assurance of culture media". Oxford agar proved to be the best medium. LPM, AC and Forray's agars were somewhat more inhibitory than Oxford medium. In productivity TNSA and PALCAM media were weakest but the latter one was more selective. When 43 sausage samples were enriched in UVM broths and subcultured on the above mentioned media the number of positive samples was the same on Oxford, LPM, AC and TNSA agars but it was lower on PALCAM agar No. 1. When 103 milk samples were subcultured on TNSA and PALCAM agar No. 2, the number of positive samples was the same.