Capture filtration for concentration and detection of selected microorganisms in milk

The effectiveness of an adsorption filter in retaining bacteria present in milk was examined. Skim milk and whole milk (100ml) were separately filtered through a 47mm adsorption filter. No significant change in total solids, total fat, and solids-not-fat percentages of skim and whole milk permeates was observed after filtration. Adsorption of Pseudomonas fluorescens at target concentrations of 103 , 102 , and 101 cells/ml was determined in 100ml of dairy standard methods buffer, nutrient broth, whole milk, and skim milk. The average percentage bacterial retentions were 95 ± 5.5%, 95 ± 2.6%, 28 ± 22.1%, and 62 ± 15.5%, respectively.

A treatment was developed for milk to increase the bacterial retention of ~ fluorescens after filtration. The preferred treatment for 100ml of skim milk involved the following final concentrations (v/v): 0.80% disodium ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid, 0.02% sodium dodecyl sulfate, pH to 7.5 with 1N sodium hydroxide. The average bacterial retention of ~ fluorescens using the treatment was 91 ± 7.1%. Enumeration of bacteria adsorbed to the filter was then conducted using impedance microbiology. When milk was inoculated with ~ fluorescens at target concentrations of 103 , 102 , and 101 cells/ml, an average log bacterial increase of 1.4 ± 0.1 (25x) was obtained. This method will allow for rapid detection of microorganisms in milk by increasing microbial load in the tested sample and eliminating the need for pre-enrichment.