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Swab Sampling Method for the Detection of Human Norovirus on Surfaces
Published on: February 6, 2017
Optimization of methods for detecting norovirus on various fruit
Hee-Yeon Kim1, In-Shin Kwak, In-Gyun Hwang
1Department of Environmental Health and Institute of Health and Environment, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
Journal of Virological Methods
|August 30, 2008
Summary
This study optimized methods for detecting norovirus (NoV) in food. Beef extract for elution, polyethylene glycol (PEG) for concentration, and the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit for extraction proved most effective for foodborne virus detection.
Area of Science:
- Food safety
- Virology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Norovirus (NoV) outbreaks are frequently linked to contaminated food.
- Current methods for detecting NoV in food require optimization for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize methods for norovirus (NoV) detection in food.
- To evaluate and enhance virus elution, concentration, and RNA extraction techniques for improved foodborne virus analysis.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated six different buffers for eluting NoV from grapes, strawberries, and raspberries.
- Optimized polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation parameters (molecular weight, duration, temperature) for virus concentration.
- Assessed five RNA extraction methods, with the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit being the focus.
Main Results:
- 3% beef extract was identified as the most effective elution buffer for NoV from fruit surfaces.
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 10,000 for 4 hours at room temperature provided optimal virus concentration.
- The QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit demonstrated the highest RNA recovery efficiency.
Conclusions:
- An optimized protocol involving specific elution, PEG concentration, and RNA extraction significantly improves NoV recovery from fruit.
- This optimized method enhances the reliability of detecting NoV in food, aiding in outbreak investigation and prevention.
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