University of the Philippines Explores Faster Salmonella Detection in Meat through Biotech

The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, with support from the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program (DA-Biotech), is conducting a study to improve methods of detecting Salmonella in raw meat and meat products by looking at the genetic blueprints of the organism and analyzing the mechanism for its transmission and proliferation. It also aims to find the prevalence of Salmonella species in slaughtered swine and other livestock and poultry—both in raw meat and meat products—in wet markets in Metro Manila. The Salmonella species will also be classified according to what antigens they have.

Dr. Windell Rivera, a Professor of Microbiology at the Institute of Biology in UP Diliman, explains that with a developed protocol and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can allow rapid detection of organism and its sources. He added that the organism can be further characterized, outbreaks can be controlled, and mechanisms of transmission can be identified. He also said that faster and better detection of Salmonella would mean better control strategies and policies, and can ultimately help ensure safer meat and meat products in the agricultural and livestock industry in the Philippines.

For more information about this research, please contact project leader Dr. Windell L. Rivera of the University of the Philippines Diliman (wlrivera@science.upd.edu.ph), or Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso of DA Biotech (biotechpiu@yahoo.com). DA-Biotech's info brief about this research, and other biotech updates in the Philippines may be found at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) website.