Characterization of Listeria spp. isolated from ready-to-eat products in Argentina using SDS-PAGE and restriction endonuclease

Abstract

Listeria spp. are considered of interest in public health since their presence indicates the potencial existence of L. monocytogenes. Total cellular proteins and DNA from four strains of L. monocytogenes serotype 4, four strains of L. monocytogenes belonging to serotype 1, twelve strains of L. innocua, four strains of L. seeligeri and two strains of L. welshimeri isolated from ready-to-eat food were studied by SDS-PAGE and restriction endonuclease digestion. SDS-PAGE protein profiles obtained were species specific and could be evaluated by visual comparison. Enzyme for restriction endonuclease analysis was EcoRI, discriminating L. monocytogenes from other Listeria spp. These methodologies might be a helpful tool and a good alternative for epidemiological tracking of listeriosis in laboratories, where other methods are not available.