Polymacron enzyme immunoassay system for detection of naturally contaminating Salmonella in foods, feeds, and environmental samples.

A simple dot blot enzyme immunoassay was developed to screen enrichment broth cultures for the presence of Salmonella. This unique system utilizes macroporous polyester cloth (Polymacron) with an inexpensive hemoglobin coating to provide a high-affinity adsorbent for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigens in test samples. Bound LPS antigens are then detected using a monoclonal antibody conjugate recognizing a core oligosaccharide epitope common to all salmonellae frequently found in foods and related samples. The entire test (not including enrichment culture) could be completed in less than 1 h. The performance of this assay was evaluated in the analysis of enrichment broth cultures from a variety of egg and dairy products, chicken carcasses, animal feeds, and food-processing plant environmental samples for the presence of Salmonella.