Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin in pasteurized milk with ELISA technique

This study was undertaken to determine the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin and the type of toxin present in pasteurized milk consumed in Ankara. For this purpose, a total of 250 milk samples, from 6 different firms with 130 samples coming from box containers and 120 of them in bottles, were used. All were purchased in Ankara. The samples were taken over a period of one year to reflect seasonal variability. Staphylococcal enterotoxin presence (Transia Plate, ST 0796) and determination of type (RIDASCREEN, R 4101) were done with the sandwich ELISA technique. SEA was determined to be >0.1 ng/ml level in bottled milk from 2 milk samples. These 2 samples belonged to the summer and autumn. It was determined that pasteurized milk would pose a risk to public health should staphylococcal intoxications arise. It is suggested that, more importance should be given to milking hygiene, udder health as well as the determination and control of critical control points in firms for the prevention of staphylococcal outbreaks.