PCR SCREENING SYSTEM FOR ESCHERICHIA-COLI O157 IN MEAT

PCR was inhibited by raw meat containing blood. When raw meat was test ed in broth culture at the 10% rate, the PCR system could not detect v ero toxin gene of 5x10(7) cfu (colony forming unit)/mL of O157. PCR wa s also inhibited by meat extract, when the extract was mixed with the PCR sample. A DNA purification procedure which eliminates blood compon ents is essential before PCR is conducted.