Strategies in the development of media for the detection of food-borne pathogens

Successful medium development is dependent on using a systematic approach and also by giving due consideration to the factors which can influence the performance of the medium at the various stages of assessment. The most important factors to be considered are: (i) the properties of the target organisms, (ii) the selection of test strains, (iii) the methods of evaluation, (iv) the basal medium and growth supplements, (v) the properties of the medium, and (vi) the intended use of the medium. If these are investigated fully then culture media can be optimised to fulfil the demands of modem microbiology techniques used for detection and confirmation of bacteria.