EVALUATION OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO DOUBLE-STRENGTH SKIN MILK USEDTO SATURATE DRAG SWABS FOR SALMONELLA DETECTION

The drag-swab Salmonella screening technique was evaluated using less expensive alternatives to double-strength skim milk (2 x SM) as a satu rating medium for drag swabs. Ten pre-determined Salmonella-positive p oultry houses were studied. In the first phase, Salmonella screening e fficiency of drag swabs impregnated with 2 x SM and commercially avail able canned Carnations evaporated skim milk (CESM) were compared. Resu lts showed CESM to be a less efficient alternative. In the second phas e of the study, the Salmonella screening efficiency of drag swabs impr egnated with 2% buffered peptone water (BPW), physiological saline (PS ), and distilled water (DW) were evaluated along with an unimpregnated drag swab (dry drag swab) (DD) as possible alternatives to 2 x SM. Th e efficiency of Salmonella detection using various impregnation treatm ents were in the following order: 2 x SM > PS > BPW > DW > DD.