title: Detection of Cronobacter species in powdered infant formula by probe-magnetic separation PCR.
abstract: Cronobacter species are opportunistic foodborne pathogens associated with serious infections in preterm neonates and infants. Based on the epidemiological research, infant formula products are considered to be the main source of infections from this organism. Therefore, accurate methods are required for detection of Cronobacter species. In this study, the specific probe and primers for detection of this organism were designed and verified. The probe-magnetic beads were prepared for sequence capture, followed by PCR assay to detect the target gene. This probe-magnetic separation PCR assay could detect as few as 10(3) cfu/mL of Cronobacter in artificially contaminated infant formulas in less than 4 h. The combination of magnetic beads and PCR showed the potential for the detection of Cronobacter in infant formulas and may have applications in the dairy industry.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ming
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Hengyi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Food and Nutritional Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. Electronic address: npshah@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Nagendra P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, P. R. China. Electronic address: weihua114@live.cn.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D059126:Cronobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000382:microbiology*; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000592:standards; D059346:Magnets; D008863:Microspheres; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011208:Powders
chemical_list: D011208:Powders
keywords: Cronobacter species; powdered infant formula; probe-magnetic separation PCR