Culture medium, method for culturing listeria, and method for detecting listeria

Abstract

There are disclosed a culture media and culture supplements for cultivating microorganisms, including Listeria spp and methods for culturing microorganisms including Listeria spp. There are also disclosed methods for detecting the presence of microorganisms including Listeria spp in samples.

1 . A culture medium comprising a biologically effective concentrations of: a) unchelated magnesium ions; and b) an oxygen scavenger. 
     
     
         2 . The medium according to  claim 1  wherein the oxygen scavenger is selected from the group consisting of a pyruvate salt, catalase, a thioglycolate salt, cysteine, Oxyrase™, Na 2 S, and FeS. 
     
     
         3 . The medium according to  claim 1  further comprising a biologically effective concentration of: a) a lithium salt; or b) an iron (III) salt; or c) a lithium salt and an iron (III) salt. 
     
     
         4 . The medium according to  claim 3  further comprising a selective agent. 
     
     
         5 . A medium according to  claim 1  further comprising a substantially non-magnesium chelating buffer. 
     
     
         6 . The medium according to  claim 1  for culturing  Listeria  spp. 
     
     
         7 . The medium according to  claim 2  wherein said iron (III) salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.05 g/L; said Lithium salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0:1 g/L; said Magnesium salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 g/L; and said oxygen scavenger is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 g/L. 
     
     
         8 . The medium according to  claim 7  further comprising a selective agent. 
     
     
         9 . A method for culturing a biological sample, the method comprising culturing the sample in a medium comprising a biologically effective concentration of unchelated magnesium ions and an oxygen scavenger. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the medium comprises: a) a lithium salt; or b) an iron (III) salt; or c) a lithium salt and an iron (III) salt. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein the medium further comprises a selective agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said iron (III) salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.05 g/L; said Lithium salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 g/L; said Magnesium salt is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 g/L; and said oxygen scavenger is present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 g/L. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  for culturing  Listeria  spp. 
     
     
         14 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A kit for culturing  Listeria  spp., the kit comprising an oxygen scavenger and a non-magnesium chelating buffer.