Preservation of Listeria monocytogenes and other pathogenic foodborne bacteria on silica gel

Preservation of Listeria monocytogenes on silica gel was examined as a means of storing and transporting bacterial cultures. Listeria monocytogenes remained viable through 168 d of storage on silica gel at room and refrigeration temperatures. The viability of Escherichia coli O157 : H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus after storage on silica gel was determined and compared with earlier reports.