A rapid and sensitive method for detecting foodborne pathogens by capillary electrophoresis-based single-strand conformation polymorphism

A parallel analysis method using capillary electrophoresis-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) combined with 16S rRNA gene-specific PCR was developed for rapid and effective detection of five pathogens associated with food poisoning. Conventional detection and identification methods for these pathogens are time consuming and labor intensive due to the necessity of separate cultivation of each target strain. Using the developed CE-SSCP method, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica, and Bacillus cereus were simultaneously identified with individual corresponding peaks from a mixture of their genomic DNA. This method can be used for rapid investigation of causative agents of food poisoning. Its simplicity and high sensitivity may lead to improved management of food safety.