Objective: To develop a rapid multiplex PCR (m-PCR) assay for simultaneously detection of three foodborne pathogens in aquatic products.
Methods: The invasion protein gene (invA) of Salmonella spp., toxR gene (toxR) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and invasion-associated protein p60 gene (iap) of Listeria monocytogenes were used as the gene targets.
Results: The multiplex PCR assay could be specific and rapid, and the detection limits were 10 cfu/ml when the artificially contaminated aquatic products were incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 h.
Conclusion: The multiplex PCR assay developed in this study could provide a cost-effective supplement of conventional microbiological methods for routine monitoring of food.