Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from fresh vegetables using ERIC- PCR method

Ailliyin Elmy, Ahmad Zaki (2014) Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from fresh vegetables using ERIC- PCR method. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Escherichia coli have caused several outbreaks of food borne illness. One of the main causes for this food borne illness is due to fresh vegetables particularly leafy greens. However in Malaysia, fresh vegetables have become one of Malaysian's main courses in their daily menu. Hence, the fresh vegetables need to be analysed to ensure that it is safe to be consumed by society. Therefore the main aim for this study is to molecular characterize E. coli isolated from fresh vegetables using ERIC- PCR. In this study, twenty one E. coli isolates which had been isolated previously from organic and conventional vegetables respectively were examined. Sixteen isolates shows the presence of E. coli on EMB agar. E. coli 0157: H7 was not detected in any of E. coli isolates. ERIC- PCR was used to determine the genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates due to its high discriminatory power. The 16 E. coli isolates were clustered into two major clusters (I and II). The organic vegetables were clustered in cluster I, while conventional vegetables were clustered in cluster II. Hence, the present study shows ERIC- PCR was able to group the E. coli isolates based on its source.

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