Question

Food-borne pathogens are most commonly identified by?

1) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
2) standard culture techniques
3) pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
4) None of the choices are correct

Answer 1

Food-borne pathogens are typically identified using standard culture techniques, followed by molecular biology techniques like PCR for definitive identification.

Step-by-step explanation:

Food-borne pathogens are most commonly identified by standard culture techniques and molecular biology techniques. The standard culture techniques begin with pre-enrichment culture of food samples, followed by plating on selective and differential media. The presence of bacteria can be confirmed through growth on this media and observation of specific biochemical reactions such as color changes. For more definitive identification, additional testing such as serology or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) may be utilized. PCR can amplify selected portions of prokaryotic DNA, allowing for the identification of non-culturable microorganisms.