Effect of Enrichment Media and Sampling Protocol on Recovery of Listeria monocytogenes

These studies examined the differences in recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from pure culture and in the populations of mixed aerobic microflora from chicken and Brie cheese incubated in University of Vermont (UVM) and Listeria enrichment broth (LEB) enrichment broths for different times and conditions. No significant differences were observed in levels of L. monocytogenes from pure cultures in UVM or LEB on any sampling day. No differences were observed in the levels of mixed microflora from Brie cheese in either UVM or LEB, but from chicken rinse the level of mixed flora competitors was significantly higher on all sampling days in LEB as compared to UVM. No differences were observed between a single enrichment in UVM or LEB for 2 d and a transfer to a secondary enrichment tube after 1 d. Overall, the level of mixed microflora capable of growing in enrichment broths was greater from chicken rinse than from Brie cheese. The ratio of L. monocytogenes to mixed microflora which survived the selective enrichments was most favorable for recovery of L. monocytogenes after 2 d of enrichment.