Listeria Enrichment Broth (7398)

Intended Use

Listeria Enrichment Broth is specifically designed for the selective enrichment of Listeria species (spp.). This specialized media supports accurate testing and reliable isolation of Listeria monocytogenes across various environments.

Product Summary and Explanation

First identified in 1926, Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant risk to public health and the food industry. It is particularly harmful to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, with outbreaks linked to a variety of contaminated food sources such as turkey frankfurters, cole slaw, pasteurized milk, Mexican-style cheese, and pâté. Given its ubiquity, Listeria spp. can be found in unprocessed foods as well as in environments like soil, sewage, and river water, making testing imperative.

The formulation of Listeria Enrichment Broth follows the pioneering work by Lovett et al., enhancing Tryptic Soy Broth with Yeast Extract to promote optimal growth conditions for Listeria spp. This medium supports a viable growth range with a pH of 5.0 to 9.6 and enables the survival of Listeria in food products beyond this range.

Listeria spp. characteristics include being microaerophilic, Gram-positive, asporogenous, non-encapsulated, and characterized by short, motile rods that demonstrate notable motility at 20°C. Identification of Listeria in laboratory settings relies on effective isolation, comprehensive biochemical characterization, and serological confirmation to ensure reliability and accuracy in testing.

Key Features and Specifications