USE OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AND RESTRICTION ENZYME ANALYSIS TO DIRECTLY DETECT AND IDENTIFY SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM IN FOOD

A primer set of oligonucleotides (Salm 3 and Salm 4) from the invA gen e of Salmonellae has been evaluated for the specfic detection of Salmo nella spp. by the polymerase chan reaction (PCR). This primer set ampl ified 33 Salmonella serovars but did not amplify 16 non-Salmonella bac teria. Moreover, after PCR amplification, it was possible to identify Salm. typhimurium by restriction enzyme analysis. The PCR-RE method de veloped could represent a helpful tool for detecting Salmonella spp., and for directly and rapidly identifying Salm. typhimurium in food.