Listeria environmental testing

The Microgen Path-Chek Listeria kit is a system for the detection ofListeria species from the environment. It is simple and safe to use in the field. Simply swab the surface and snap the swab tip into the Path-Check Listeria Detection tube and incubate. A positive result is indicated when the tube changes from yellow to black.

The kit uses a neutralising, pre-moistened swab to maximise the recovery ofListeria while removing any detergents or sanitiser residues that could influence results. The system is claimed to give fast results, with 97% of Listeria monocytogenes isolates detected at 24 h and 100% at 48 h. Negative results are not reported until 48 h. The yellow-to-black colour change removes the guesswork. The results can be safely read without opening the sealed detection tube. Positive results can be confirmed with the Microgen Listeria Latex test in 2 minutes or sent to an external laboratory. The Microgen Path-Chek is claimed to detect Listeria down to 5 organisms/100 cm² and complies with ISO 18593:2004(e) for surface testing. The kit is available in a 25 and a 100 test pack size. Kits for Salmonella and Coliform tests are also available.