Evaluation of an ELISA method to detect Listeria monocytogenes in fresh-cut rocket

Leafy vegetables are consumed fresh after harvest with bland washes, not always efficient in removing pathogenic bacteria that may be attached to the external skin or surfaces. In this work, an optimized ELISA based method developed in our laboratory was used to detect the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh-cut rocket leaves. From a certain quantity (5 g) of fresh rocket leaves contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria were isolated and the pathogen was detected using an ELISA protocol. The preliminary results are promising in the use of antibody-antigen interaction to verify the presence of L. monocytogenes in the minimally processed vegetable distribution chain.