Designing a time-effective TaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction protocol for the identification of Yersinia enterocolitica in raw pork meat

Abstract

The aim of this study was to design a time-effective method comprising a short pre-enrichment step in a non-selective broth in combination with the TaqMan probe applied in the real-time polymerase chain reaction to detectYersinia enterocoliticastrains in raw pork meat. The method enabled to detect 1 colony forming unit per 25 mg ofYersinia enterocoliticain pork meat. The specificity and reliability of the method was not diminished by the company of microflora naturally present in meat. The method was found successful to detect pathogenicYersinia enterocoliticastrains in pork meat. It is advised to be used for assessing the microbial risk and for controlling the microbial quality of meat and meat products.