Detection and serogroup differentiation of Salmonella spp. in food within 30 hours by enrichment-immunoassay with a T6 monoclonal antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

The T6 monoclonal antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detects 99% of the Salmonella serogroup A to E strains and 71% of serogroup F strains present in enriched foods cultured in a nonselective medium before the assay. The method has 100% sensitivity, 99% specificity, and detects almost 98% of the Salmonella strains that infect humans. The O-factor-specific monoclonal antibodies differentiate 88% of the Salmonella spp. into their serogroups. The detection time of the assay is between 17 to 29 hrs depending on the process used to enrich the food.