Validation of the 3M™ Environmental Scrub Sampler with Wide-Spectrum Neutralizer: AOAC Performance Tested Method(SM) 022104

BACKGROUND: The 3M™ Environmental Scrub Sampler with 10 mL Wide Spectrum Neutralizer is a nonspecific sampling device intended for use for environmental monitoring surface sampling. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate 3M Wide Spectrum Neutralizer using the 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler for AOAC(®) Performance Tested Methods(SM) (PTM) certification. METHODS: Matrix studies, inclusivity/exclusivity, product consistency/stability, neutralization, and robustness testing were conducted for Salmonella and Listeria species. Stainless steel, sealed concrete, and plastic environmental surfaces were evaluated in the matrix study comparing the performance of the 3M™ method for sample collection to that of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) reference methods. Four classes of sanitizers, namely quaternary ammonium, high acid, hydrogen/peroxyacetic acid and chlorine/bleach-based, were assessed in the neutralization study following ASTM E1054 - 08, Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents. The other testing parameters followed typical PTM study design. RESULTS: In matrix studies the 3M sampling device demonstrated no significant differences between candidate and reference sampling method results. All inclusivity organisms were detected, and all exclusivity organisms were excluded, for both Salmonella and Listeria strains when tested by the appropriate FDA BAM detection method. Robustness, product consistency, and stability studies showed that the sampling device is not affected by lot or testing parameter differences. The Wide Spectrum Neutralizer was proven to effectively neutralize sanitizers at the concentrations tested and was itself shown to be nontoxic and did not affect target microorganism recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler with 10 mL Wide Spectrum Neutralizer is an effective, stable, robust sampling device for the recovery of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. HIGHLIGHT: The 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler with 10 mL Wide Spectrum Neutralizer is an acceptable sampling device for use in FDA BAM Salmonella and Listeria reference methods.