Quantitative PCR, if performed properly, is a highly sensitive and robust tool. Nevertheless, its application to the particular case of pathogen detection from foodstuffs necessitates special requirements for reliable results. Firstly, a robust analytical chain, involving sample preparation and DNA isolation with purification, is necessary to ensure optimal performance. Secondly, for reliable quantification of Listeria monocytogenes from food, reproducible controls for all steps of the analytical chain are needed, which can give quantitative information about the performance of each individual step of the detection chain. Ideally, each individual sample should include a so-called internal sample process control (ISPC) which passes through all steps of the analytical chain and is phenotypically similar to the target organism (in this case L. monocytogenes).This chapter describes the modular and rapid (3 h) sample preparation method "matrix lysis" for the quantification of L. monocytogenes from food and gives detailed information regarding the application of an ISPC based on the example of the L. monocytogenes Δ-prfA/+IAC strain.
Keywords: ISPC; Matrix lysis; Sample preparation; qPCR.