Direct plating method for enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus: collaborative study.

Considerable evidence has been published regarding the adverse effect of sodium chloride on physiologically impaired cells of Staphylococcus aureus, such as are to be expected in processed foods. A direct plating method for enumeration of S. aureus eliminating the use of sodium chloride was devised and subjected to collaborative study by 16 analysts. Results obtained by the direct plating method were compared to those obtained by the AOAC official first action method (46.036--46.040). Participating analysts examined duplicate samples at population levels of 91, 34, and 20 S. aureus/g. Coefficients of variation among analysts were considerably lower for the direct plating method (31, 81, and 48%, respectively) than for method 46.040 (59, 156, and 150%, respectively) at all 3 population levels. High coefficients of variation for the direct plating method at 2 of the 3 levels were due principally to low populations of S. aureus. The direct plating method has been adopted as official first action for general purpose use and use of method 46.036--46.040 has been restricted to raw food ingredients and nonprocessed foods.     

Direct plating technique for enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes in foods

The advantages and disadvantages of various techniques for detecting and enumerating Listeria monocytogenes in foods are reviewed, and results from a study designed to compare 14 direct plating media for their suitability to recover uninjured cells of L. monocytogenes from 4 foods are summarized. McBride Listeria agar (MLA), gum base nalidixic acid tryptone soy agar (GBNTSA), modified Despierres agar (MDA), and modified MLA (MMLA) performed best for recovering all inoculum populations from milk and ice cream mix. For Brie cheese, MLA, MDA, MMLA, and Dominguez Rodriguez isolation agar were superior for recovering L. monocytogenes; GBNTSA, MDA, MMLA, and Donnelly's Listeria enrichment agar were best for recovering the organism from cabbage. Direct plating procedures without prior enrichment can be utilized successfully for recovering L. monocytogenes from foods such as pasteurized milk and ice cream mix, which contain low populations of background microflora. However, recovery of L. monocytogenes from foods such as raw cabbage and Brie cheese, which contain high populations of other microorganisms, was not satisfactory using direct plating procedures.     

Dry rehydratable film for enumeration of total coliforms and Escherichia coli in foods: collaborative study

Rehydratable dry-film plating methods for total coliforms and Escherichia coli in foods have been compared to the AOAC most probable number methods. Fourteen laboratories participated in the collaborative study. Three coliform and E. coli levels in 6 samples of 4 product types (flour, nuts, cheese, and beef with gravy) and in 3 samples of 2 product types (mushrooms and raw turkey) were tested in duplicate by the participants. The mean log counts for the 3 methods were comparable. In general, the repeatability and reproducibility variances of the plating methods were as good as or better than that of the MPN method. The method has been adopted official first action by AOAC.     

Hydrophobic grid membrane filter/MUG method for total coliform and Escherichia coli enumeration in foods: collaborative study

Twenty-four laboratories participated in a collaborative study to validate a hydrophobic grid membrane filter (HGMF) method incorporating the use of 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG) for enumeration of total coliform and Escherichia coli bacteria in foods by comparing its performance against the AOAC 3-tube MPN method (46.013-46.016). Raw milk, raw ground poultry, whole egg powder, cheese powder, and ground black pepper were included in the study. The total coliform methods did not differ significantly, except that the 3-tube method detected a significantly higher level of total coliforms than did the HGMF method in the ground black pepper. Conversely, the HGMF/MUG E. coli method detected significantly higher numbers of E. coli present in the egg powder, cheese powder, and ground black pepper samples, while not differing significantly from the 3-tube method for the raw milk and raw ground poultry samples. The overall confirmation rate of MUG-positive colonies isolated using the HGMF method was 99.5%. The hydrophobic grid membrane filter/MUG method has been adopted official first action as an additional method to AOAC official final action method 46.030-46.034.     

Genetic variability in wild populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus divaricata</Emphasis> Ledeb. in northern Iran evaluated by EST-SSR and genomic SSR marker analysis

A population genetic analysis based on eight genomic SSR markers and three EST-SSR (expressed sequence tags) markers developed in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) was carried out in 12 wild populations of cherry plum (Prunus divaricata Ledeb.) sampled along the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea. A total of 184 alleles (3–31 per locus) were detected with a mean value of 16.7 alleles per locus. None of the loci or populations showed deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and all markers proved to be unlinked. The mean values for the observed and the expected heterozygosity were 0.66 and 0.73, respectively. There was very little genetic differentiation among populations, as was indicated by low overall values of Wright’s F_ST (0.03) and Nei’s G_ST (0.08). An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 96.8% of the total variance was attributable to differences between individuals within populations. Genetic and geographic distances were nevertheless positively correlated, as evidenced by a Mantel test. The high level of genetic diversity and the apparent lack of genetic structure in wild P. divaricata may be attributed to frequent long distance gene flow through frugivorous birds and possibly humans, as has been documented for other Prunus species.     

Comparative study of Asiatic elephant Elephas maximus populations in Gal Oya,Sri Lanka

Two populations of Asiatic elephants Elephas maximus of two different home-ranges of Sri Lanka's Gal Oya area were compared. The group-size-frequency distributions of matriarchal groups belonging to the two populations were significantly different. The population in study site B, in contrast to that in study site A, showed frequent random aggregations, and a higher mean group size. These differences are attributed to excessive range contraction in study site B. The population in the latter area also showed greater dependence on dry grass than that in study site A. Size-class structures, population numbers and adult sex ratios are discussed for the two populations. Seasonality in the birth of elephant calves was evident during the year 1975, in the population using study site A. The need to carry out similar studies over long periods of time is stressed.     

Direct plating versus dilution plating in qualitatively determining the mold flora of dried beans and soybeans

Two methods presently used for examining whole foods and feeds for viable molds were evaluated for their relative effectiveness in the qualitative determination of the total number of mold species present in soybeans and dried beans: the direct plating method and the serial dilution method. Sixty-nine soybean samples and 40 dried bean samples were examined. Although the quantitative results of this study were inconclusive, the qualitative results show that the direct plating method was substantially more effective in detecting individual mold species. An average of 12.9 and 10.9 species was detected by the direct plating method in whole soybean and dried bean samples, respectively. An average of 4.4 and 2.8 species was detected by the dilution method in ground soybean and dried bean samples, respectively. A total of at least 37 mold species were found in the study, including 10 toxicogenic species. With few exceptions, detection rates of the 37 individual species were substantially greater among the samples examined by direct plating than those examined by serial dilution.     

Population size,distribution, and symbiotic characteristics of indigenous Bradyrhizobium spp. that nodulate TGx soybean genotypes in Africa

Soils of many potential soybean fields in Africa are characterized by low levels of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) activities and often cannot support high soybean yields without addition of inorganic N fertilizers or external application of soybean rhizobia. The most probable number (MPN) technique was used to determine the bradyrhizobial populations that nodulate TGx soybean genotypes (a cross between nonpromiscuous North American soybean genotypes and promiscuous Asian soybean genotypes), cowpea or North American soybean cv. Clark IV, in soils from 65 sites in 9 African countries. The symbiotic effectiveness of isolates from these soils was compared to that of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain USDA110. The bradyrhizobial population sizes ranged from 0 to 10⁴ cells g⁻¹ soil. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were detected in 72% and B. japonicum (Clark) in 37% of the soil samples. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were generally low, and significantly less than that of the cowpea bradyrhizobial populations in 57% of the samples. Population sizes of less than 10 cells g⁻¹ soil were common as these were detected in at least 43% of the soil samples. B. japonicum (Clark) occurred in higher population densities in research sites compared to farmers’ fields. Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations were highly correlated with biotic but not abiotic factors. The frequent incidence of low Bradyrhizobium sp. (TGx) populations is unlikely to support optimum BNF enough for high soybean yields while the presence of B. japonicum (Clark) in research fields has the potential to compromise the selection pressure anticipated from the indigenous Bradyrhizobium spp. (Vigna) populations. Bradyrhizobium isolates could be placed in four symbiotic phenotype groups based on their effectiveness on a TGx soybean genotype and the North American cultivar Clark IV. Symbiotic phenotype group II isolates were as effective as B. japonicum strain USDA110 on both soybean genotypes while isolates of group IV were effective on the TGx soybean genotype but not on the Clark IV. The group IV isolates represent a unique subgroup of indigenous bradyrhizobia that can sustain high soybean yields when available in sufficient population densities.     

Genetic diversity and local population structure of fragmented populations of Trillium camschatcense (Trilliaceae)

Trillium camschatcense, a long-lived common woodland herb, has been experiencing intensive habitat fragmentation over the last century in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. We examined the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 12 fragmented populations with different population sizes using allozyme electrophoresis. The percentage of polymorphic loci and mean number of alleles per locus were positively related to population size, probably due to the stochastic loss of rare alleles (frequency of q<0.1) in small populations. Populations with 350 flowering plants or fewer had lost almost all of their rare alleles. While the heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient were not related to population size, some small populations showed relatively high inbreeding coefficients. In spite of the low genetic differentiation among overall populations (F_ST=0.130), local population structuring was recognized between the two geographically discontinuous population groups. Within groups, sufficient historical gene flow was inferred, whereas a low dispersal ability of this species and geographical separation could produce apparent differentiation between groups.     

Enumeration of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in soil subjected to high temperature: Comparison of plate count, most probable number and fluorescent antibody techniques

The survival of BradyrMzobium japonicum strains in autoclaved and non-autoclaved soil at various temperatures for up to 18 days was determined by plate count, plant infectivity-most probable number (MPN) and modified fluorescent antibody (FA) techniques. The high-temperature tolerant strains studied were BR587, NC1005 and NC1033, and the high-temperature intolerant strains studied were NCI028, 3Ilb24 and 311b123. Each strain was exposed individually in a sandy loam soil at 28, 33 or 37°C under humidity controlled conditions. Those strains reported to be tolerant to elevated temperature in pure culture decreased by <10^1.5 cells g⁻¹ when enumerated by plate count after high-temperature exposure in autoclaved soil. Based on plate counts, the population of two of the three high-temperature intolerant strains added to autoclaved soil decreased by more than 10³ cells g⁻¹ soil after exposure to elevated temperatures. In non-autoclaved soil, the population of all inoculated strains decreased after exposure to elevated temperature when enumeration was by the plant infectivity-MPN technique. In autoclaved soil at 28°C, the correlation between plate count and FA enumerations was significant at the 0.05 probability level for four of the six strains (r² = 0.65). After high-temperature incubation, counts based on the FA technique were not correlated with plate counts of intolerant strains or MPN enumeration of tolerant and intolerant strains (r² = 0.004). Differential survival of B. japonicum strains in autoclaved soil at high temperature as enumerated by plate counts confirms the designation of temperature tolerance made by Munevar and Wollum (1981). However. MPN enumeration of bradyrhizobia in the non-autoclaved system did not follow the original temperature tolerance classifications. Enumeration by FA procedures did not show a decrease in population after exposure to high temperature as observed with the plate and MPN counts. Thus, the FA technique may not adequately indicate population dynamics in short-term ecological studies.     

Gas chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in gelatin: collaborative study

Eleven collaborators participated in this study of a gas chromatographic method for the determination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in gelatin. Following acid hydrolysis of a 2 g sample, PCP is extracted with hexane and partitioned into KOH solution. After reacidification, PCP is again extracted with hexane for determination by electron capture gas chromatography on a 1% SP-1240DA column. Three duplicate practice samples (0.0, 0.5, and 1.5 ppm) and 5 blind duplicate collaborative samples (0.0, 0.02, 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 ppm) were analyzed by each collaborator. Mean recoveries of PCP in the collaborative samples ranged from 88% at the 0.02 ppm fortification level to 102% at the 0.1 ppm level; the overall mean recovery was 96%. Interlaboratory coefficients of variation ranged from 16.4% for the 0.1 ppm fortification level to 22.9% for the 0.5 ppm level; the overall interlaboratory coefficient of variation was 19.5%. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of selenium in foods and diets

The validity of 2 electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric methods for determination of selenium in foods and diets was tested. By using 0.5% Ni(II) as a matrix modifier to prevent selenium losses during the ashing step, it was shown that selenium can be determined in samples containing greater than or equal to 1 microgram Se/g dry wt without organic extraction. The mean recovery tested, using NBS Bovine Liver, was 98%; recovery of added inorganic selenium in Bovine Liver matrix was 100%. In addition, this method gave values closest to the median value of all participating laboratories using hydride generation AAS or the spectrofluorometric method in a collaborative study on high selenium wheat, flour, and toast samples. For samples with concentrations less than 1 microgram Se/g dry wt, separation of selenium from interfering Fe and P ions by organic extraction was necessary. Using inorganic 75Se in meat and human milk matrixes, an ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-methyl isobutyl ketone-extraction system with added Cu(II) as a matrix modifier yielded the best extraction recoveries, 97 and 98%, respectively. Accuracy and precision of the method were tested using several official and unofficial biological standard materials. The mean accuracy was within 4% of the certified or best values of the standard materials and the day-to-day variation was 9%. The Se/Fe or Se/P interference limits proved to be low enough not to affect selenium determinations in practically all foods or diets. The practical detection limit of the method was 3 ng Se/g dry wt for 1.0 g dry wt samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of Urban Groundwater Contamination from Sewage Network in Kuwait City

To investigate the possible contamination of groundwater by wastewater leaked from the underground sewage network, water samples from 29 monitoring wells, drilled at strategic locations across Kuwait City and the adjacent residential areas, were analyzed for their inorganic and organic constituents including isotopic composition (oxygen-18 and deuterium) that can be used as tracers for source identification. As a non-conventional method, statistical processing in the form of hierarchical cluster and discriminant function analyses of the inorganic and organic data was used to group the wells according to the degree of possible contamination of groundwater. It was concluded from this analysis that more than half of the wells (17) showed little evidence of such contamination. Sample from only one of the wells suggested high degree of contamination (concentrations of total coliform bacteria (TCB) and fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) >2,000 MPN/100 ml and boron (B) concentration >11 mg/l) whereas another well appeared significantly contaminated (TCB?>?2,000 MPN/100 ml; FCB?>?900 MPN/100 ml; B?>?4 mg/l). Three of the wells were possibly contaminated (1,000?<?TCB?<?2,000 MPN/100 ml; 15?<?FCB?<?500 MPN/100 ml; 3?<?B?<?11.5 mg/l), and the rest of the seven wells were classified as possibly not contaminated (TCB?>?2,400 MPN/100 ml; FCB?<?40 MPN/100 ml; B?<?5 mg/l). The overall conclusion was that the leakage from sewage network was affecting groundwater in localized areas only. Isotope data, available for water samples from eight of the monitoring wells, tended to support the aforesaid conclusions. However, because of the use of bailing as the sampling method and lack of actual leakage surveillance, further studies need to be carried out to strengthen the reliability of these findings.     

Genetic Diversity in Tunisian Ceratonia siliqua L. (Caesalpinioideae) Natural Populations

The last two centuries witnessed the human-caused fragmentation of Tunisian Ceratonia siliqua L. (Caesalpinoideae) populations which were often represented by scattered individuals. Seventeen populations growing in four bioclimatic zones: sub-humid, upper semi-arid, mean semi-arid and lower semi-arid zones, were sampled for allozyme diversity to assess their genetic diversity and structuration using eight isozymes revealed by starch gel electrophoresis. The species showed high diversity within populations. The average number of alleles per polymorphic locus was 1.98, the percentage of polymorphic loci was 83.4% and the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were respectively 0.247 and 0.316. A substantial level of inbreeding within populations induced by Wahlund effect, was observed (F_IS = 0.231). High diversity resulted from the great number of genotypes in the ancestral population before fragmentation, favoured by the outbreeding of the species. High differentiation and low gene flow were detected among populations (F_ST = 0.200) and among pairs of ecological zones (0.113< F_ST <0.198). However, the differentiation coefficient of the four zones was low (F_ST = 0.085) and similar to the average F_ST for forest trees. Population structuration depends on geographic distance between sites rather than bioclimate, indicating that structuration has occurred slowly and that climatic conditions have had little effect. Nei's genetic distances (D) between populations were low and ranged from 0.004 to 0.201. Mean D value for all population was 0.087. The UPGMA clustering established for all populations through Nei's genetic distances did not clearly show that, for the majority of populations, grouping had resulted from ecological factors or geographic location. The substantial differentiation and the high genetic similarities between populations indicate that populations have been recently isolated as a result of anthropic pressure. In-situ conservation strategies must first focus on populations with a high level of genetic diversity and rare alleles. Appropriate conservation action should take account of bioclimatic zones. Ex-situ preservation should be based on a maximum number of individuals collected within populations in each ecological group and their propagation in different bioclimates by means of cuttings.     

应用RAPD分析川西北高原老芒麦自然居群的遗传多样性

利用RAPD标记对来自青藏高原东南部川西北高原的8个老芒麦自然居群的遗传多样性和群体遗传结构进行了分析和评价。从150个RAPD引物中筛选出25个能扩增出高度重复性条带的引物。这25个引物共扩增出370条可分辨的条带,其中291条(占78.65%) 具有多态性,表明供试居群在物种水平上存在较高水平的变异。同时各居群的多态性位点比率(PP)在46.49%到53.78%之间变化,表明群体水平的变异较低。居群的平均基因多样性(HE)为0.176(变幅为0.159~0.190),而物种水平的平均基因多样性达0.264。基于Nei’s基因多样性、Shannon指数和贝叶斯方法的群体分化系数分别为32.0%、33.7%和33.5%。AMOVA 分析表明居群内遗传达到总变异的59.9%,而居群间变异仅有40.1%,但二者均达到极显著水平(P < 0.001)。居群间每世代迁入个体数(Nm)达到0.503个。各居群间存在较高的Nei’s遗传一致度。本研究获得的老芒麦的遗传结构不同于已报导的大多数披碱草属物种。另外,基于聚类分析及AMOVA的结果均表明各居群间存在较为明显的地理分化,8个居群分化为采集地的南部和北部2个分支。总之,研究结果表明来自青藏高原东南部的老芒麦居群具有较高水平的遗传变异。在该地区应尽量选择遗传多样性高的老芒麦居群实施就地保护。     

四川省地形起伏度与人口/经济的空间自相关关系

[目的]分析四川省地形起伏度与人口经济的空间关系,为区域人口合理布局、经济格局优化提供参考依据。[方法]以ASTER GDEM数据为基础,通过均值变点法确定四川省地形起伏度最佳统计单元,分析地形起伏度的分布特征;通过空间自相关分析法探讨地形起伏度与人口/经济的空间关系。[结果]四川省地形以山地和丘陵为主,整体呈现西高东低的趋势。地形起伏度与人口/经济呈空间负相关,聚集特征显著。甘孜、阿坝、凉山自治州是高地形起伏度,低人口分布,低经济水平地区;成都市是低地形起伏度,高人口分布,高经济水平地区;南充市南部县、阆中市等是低地形起伏度,高人口分布,低经济水平地区;攀枝花市仁和区、甘孜州石渠县等因自然资源或地理位置因素,地形对人口或经济影响不明显。[结论]四川省地形起伏度与人口经济呈空间负相关,但这种关系因地而异。     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Guinea yams and their wild relatives in South and South West Ethiopia as revealed by microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity and population structure of Guinea yams and their wild relatives collected from south and south west Ethiopia were assessed using microsatellite markers. The total number of alleles amplified for the 7 loci studied was found to be 60, with an average of 8.6 alleles per locus. The average expected heterozygosity for the entire population was found to be 64 % indicating that Guinea yams and their wild relatives in the study area display a high level of genetic diversity. Using allelic richness as a measure of genetic diversity the wild forms exhibited greater allelic diversity than the cultigens. Contrary to what is expected in vegetatively propagated crops, none of the seven loci studied showed a significant excess of heterozygotes. In all the comparisons made, a low mean F_ST (but significant) has been observed, indicating that the majority of microsatellite diversity in the populations under study was found within rather than between populations.     

油菜硼高效的遗传

Field experiments were conducted to study the inheritance of boron efficiency in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) by evaluating the boron (B) efficiency coefficient (BEC, the ratio of the seed yield at below the critical boron level to that at the boron-sufficient level) with 657 F_2:3 lines of a population derived from a cross between a B-efficient cultivar, Qingyou 10, and a B-inefficient cultivar, Bakow. Qingyou 10 had high BEC as well as high seed yield at low available soil B. On the contrary, Bakow produced low seed yield at low B status. Boron deficiency decreased the seed yield of the F_2:3 lines to different extents and the distribution of BEC of the population showed a bimodal pattern. When the 657 F_2:3 lines were grouped into B-efficient lines and B-inefficient lines according to their BEC, the ratio of B-efficient lines to B-inefficient lines fitted the expected ratio (3:1), indicating that one major gene controlled the B-efficiency trait. 127 F_2:3 lines selected from the population at random, with distribution of BEC similar to that of the overall population, were used to identify the target region for fine mapping of the boron efficiency gene.     

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Wild Tunisian Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) Populations

Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), in Tunisia, is closely associated with Quercus suber L. forest which stretched continuously from the North to parts of Cap Bon and Tunisian Dorsal. The destruction of the primary oak forests associated to an over-exploitation of Myrtus for its essential oil quality had led to discontinuous populations exhibiting various levels of degradation. Using starch gel electrophoresis, we analyzed the polymorphism of nine isozymes in order to assess genetic diversity and structuring of 17 natural populations prospected in the three geographical regions and coinciding with subhumid, humid inferior and semi-arid superior bioclimates. The analysis of the level and the distribution of the genetic diversity in this species might help in its conservation. Out of the 18 loci detected for all populations and isozymes analyzed, 12 loci were polymorphic. Allelic frequencies differed according to populations and particular alleles characterized ecological groups. A high level of genetic variation within populations was observed. The mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus was Ap = 1.67, the percentage of polymorphic loci was P = 60.3% and the observed (Ho) and the expected (He) heterozygosities were respectively 0.144 and 0.215. Populations belonging to subhumid (Cap Bon) and semi-arid superior (Tunisian Dorsal) climates, located in degraded sites exhibited the highest level of inbreeding (0.425 < F_IS < 0.450). A high level of differentiation (F_ST = 0.396) and a low gene flow (Nm = 0.337) among populations, as a result of habitat intermediate destruction, were revealed. The differentiation of populations within the same bioclimate (or geographic) group was substantial and relatively higher for semi-arid superior populations (F_ST = 0.262), which were more distant. The three ecological groups exhibited a high level of structuring (F_ST = 0.401). These differentiations might be due to geographic distances and to the variations of ecological factors between sites, including human activities and environmental factors. Nei’s (1972) genetic distances calculated between pairs of populations were globally low (0.006 < D < 0.367) with a mean of 0.15. They indicate a high level of similarity between populations. UPGMA clustering, established through Nei’s genetic distances, showed three population aggregates according to their geographic/bioclimatic appartenances. The high differentiation between populations and the low level of their genetic divergence indicated their recent isolation under anthropic pressures. The species conservation (in situ or ex situ) strategies should take into account the genetic diversity level within populations and its variation between geographic groups.     

Collaborative study of the glass wool filtration method for the recovery of virus inoculated into ground beef.

A method for estimating viral population levels in ground beef was studied collaboratively in 7 laboratories. The collaborators recovered virus from 6 inoculated samples. Three samples were replicates of the high virus concentration 050 plaque-forming units (pfu)/g) and 3 replicates represented the low concentration (10 pfu/g). Six of the 7 collaborators recovered acceptable levels of virus from the samples. The per cent of variation was 30.6 for the high concentration and 18.5 for the low concentration. Collaborators did not differ from one another significantly in the results obtained for the 10 pfu/g samples, but results from one collaborator were significantly low for the recovery of virus from the 50 pfu/g samples. The results indicate that the glass wool filtration method is adequate for the detection of a number of viruses that may be found in foods. The method has been adopted as official first action.