Buffered Listeria Enrichment Broth

* Similar formula, but not exact.

Intended Use

Buffered Listeria Enrichment Broth is specifically formulated for the selective enrichment of Listeria species.

Product Summary and Explanation

First identified in 1926, Listeria monocytogenes poses significant risks to public health and the food industry. This bacterium can lead to severe illness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Epidemiological studies have shown that the primary mode of transmission is through the ingestion of contaminated food, with culprits often including turkey, frankfurters, coleslaw, pasteurized milk, Mexican-style cheese, and pâté. Listeria species are prevalent in the environment, found in a wide array of unprocessed food items, as well as in soil, sewage, and bodies of water.

Buffered Listeria Enrichment Broth is an optimized formulation derived from the initial work of Lovett et al. The broth enhances the enrichment capabilities for Listeria spp. by incorporating disodium phosphate, which increases the medium's buffering capacity. Listeria species thrive within a pH range of 5.0 to 9.6 and are capable of surviving in food products with pH levels outside these parameters. These microaerophilic, Gram-positive rods are asporogenous, non-encapsulated, and short in shape, exhibiting pronounced motility at 20°C. The identification of Listeria relies on the successful isolation of the organism, followed by biochemical characterization and serological confirmation.