A flow cytometry (FCM)-based method was developed for the faster detection of Staphylococcus aureus in milk and milk powder. Viable S. aureus cells were recognized by highly selective, fluorescently labeled antibodies and Propidium Iodide, and then analyzed by FCM. Using a 5-h pre-enrichment period, the method could detect low numbers of S. aureus cells in 6 h, with a limit of detection of 7.50 cells/mL in milk and 8.30 cells/g in milk powder. The established method was compared with the plate-based method using 75 ultra-high-temperature-treated milk samples, 25 pasteurized milk samples, 66 raw milk samples, and 123 milk powder samples. The two methods yielded similar results for the detection of the pathogen in all sample types. The FCM-based method allows effective and faster monitoring of S. aureus contamination and can be applied to the rapid detection of microorganisms in milk and dairy products.
Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; detection; flow cytometry; milk; milk powder.