Rapid polymerase chain reaction/DNA probe membrane-based assay for the detection of Listeria and Listeria monocytogenes in food.

We describe the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/DNA probe membrane-based colorimetric assays for the detection and identification of Listeria and L. monocytogenes. PCR primers designed from the 16S to 23S rRNA intergenic spacer region amplified products that were reverse hybridized to membrane-bound oligonucleotide probes specific for Listeria and L. monocytogenes with a detection limit of 1 to 10 CFU/25 ml in inoculated raw and pasteurized milk samples. These qualitative assays have the potential to be integrated into testing laboratories for monitoring the microbiological quality of foods.