Design of a 5' exonuclease-based real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Bacillus licheniformis, members of the 'B. cereus group' and B. fumarioli in gelatine.
OBJECTIVE
The design of a fast, sensitive and specific detection method for Bacillus licheniformis, members of the 'B. cereus group' and B. fumarioli in gelatine.


RESULTS
Specific Taqman probes were designed and tested in a real-time PCR setting. A specific fluorescent signal could be obtained for all gelatine isolates attributed to these species in one single real-time PCR reaction. After sample preparation, a gelatine sample spiked with 1 CFU provided enough template DNA for a significant signal.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential of a real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of B. licheniformis, members of the 'B. cereus group' and B. fumarioli in gelatine is demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of the assay in gelatine producing plants may shorten delivery terms and inform on hazards to public health and suitable remediation procedures.
De Clerck
E
E
Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry, Physiology and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. elke.declerck@ugent.be
Van Mol
K
K
Jannes
G
G
Rossau
R
R
De Vos
P
P
D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005092:Exonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005780:Gelatin; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005780:Gelatin; D005092:Exonucleases