3M Food Safety

3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System

Technician
Productivity
Maximized
Interpretation Guide
3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express (SALX) System is a qualitative pathogen test used for
the rapid detection and biochemical confirmation of Salmonella in enriched foods and food
process environmental samples. 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System consists of:
3M Salmonella Enrichment Base and 3M Salmonella Enrichment Supplement a
unique medium for recovery and growth of Salmonella species
3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express Plate a sample ready-to-use chromogenic culture
medium system that contains a cold-water-soluble gelling agent and is selective and
differential for Salmonella, providing a presumptive result
3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express Confirmation Disk a biochemical substrate that
facilitates the biochemical confirmation of Salmonella organisms
Interpretation Guide: 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System

Colony Examples
Presumptive Positive Colonies on Plate Interpretation of Presumptive Positive Salmonella Species

Colony Color Colony Metabolism

Dark Yellow Gas
Red Red Brown Zone Bubble Result

Figure A Figure B Figure C Presumptive +

Observation:
Figure A: Red colony with yellow zone and associated gas bubble. Presumptive +

Figure B: Red colony with yellow zone.

Figure C: Red colony and associated gas bubble, no yellow zone. Presumptive +

Confirmed Salmonella Colonies with Confirmation Disk Presumptive +

Presumptive +

Presumptive +

Figure D Figure E Presumptive +

Observation:
Figure D: Dark blue/black colony with blue precipitate. Presumptive +
Figure E: Dark blue/black colony with dark red center
and blue precipitate. Presumptive +

Non-Salmonella Colonies on Plate

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with No Presumptive Positives

Figure F Figure G Figure H

Observation:
Figure F: Red colony with no yellow zone and no associated
gas bubble. 1
1 2
Figure G: Red colony with a magenta zone.
Figure H: Blue-green colony with yellow zone and associated
gas bubble.

Non-Salmonella Colony with Confirmation Disk

2 1 2

Figure I Figure J
Observation: Observation:
Figure I: Colony remains same red color without blue precipitate after Figure J: (1) Isolated red colonies with no yellow zone and/or associated
adding confirmation disk. gas bubble. (2) Blue-green colonies with associated gas bubble.

Users Responsibilities: 3M Petrifilm Plate performance has not been evaluated with all combinations of microbial flora, incubation conditions
and food matrixes. It is the users responsibility to determine that any test methods and results meet the users requirements. Should re-printing
of this Interpretation Guide be necessary, users print settings may impact picture and color quality.
2
 Plate Example 1

Figure 1a Figure 1b

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with only Presumptive Positive Colonies
Observation: Negative Control Plate hydrated with 2mL diluent. Observation: Note isolated red colonies with a yellow zone.

Figure 1c Figure 1d

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with Presumptive Positive
Colonies Circled
Observation: The five (5) most predominate isolated presumptive
positive colony morphologies (red with yellow zone) have been circled
on the plates top film.
3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with 3M Petrifilm SALX
Confirmation Disk
Observation: Circled presumptive positive colonies are blue to dark
blue/black with a blue precipitate after the addition and incubation of
the 3M Petrifilm SALX Confirmation Disk. These circled colonies are
biochemically confirmed positive for Salmonella species.

Users Responsibilities: 3M Petrifilm Plate performance has not been evaluated with all combinations of microbial flora, incubation conditions
and food matrixes. It is the users responsibility to determine that any test methods and results meet the users requirements. Should re-printing
of this Interpretation Guide be necessary, users print settings may impact picture and color quality.
3
Interpretation Guide: 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System

Plate Example 2

2
2

3
3
1
1 2

Figure 2a Figure 2b

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with mixed colony morphologies
Observation: Negative Control Plate hydrated with 2mL diluent. Observation: (1) Isolated red colonies with yellow zone and
associated gas bubble. (2) Isolated red colonies with yellow zone
only. (3) Background flora of blue, blue-green colonies.

Figure 2c Figure 2d

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with Presumptive Positive
Colonies Circled
Observation: The five (5) most predominant isolated presumptive
positive colony morphologies (red with yellow zone and associated
gas bubble; red with yellow zone and no associated gas bubble)
have been circled on the plates top film.
3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with 3M Petrifilm SALX
Confirmation Disk
Observation: Circled presumptive positive colonies are blue to dark
blue/black with blue precipitate after the addition and incubation of
the 3M Petrifilm SALX Confirmation Disk. These circled colonies are
biochemically confirmed positive for Salmonella species.

Users Responsibilities: 3M Petrifilm Plate performance has not been evaluated with all combinations of microbial flora, incubation conditions
and food matrixes. It is the users responsibility to determine that any test methods and results meet the users requirements. Should re-printing
of this Interpretation Guide be necessary, users print settings may impact picture and color quality.
4
 Plate Example 3

1 1
1

3 2

3
1

Figure 3a Figure 3b

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with Mixed Colony Morphologies
Observation: Negative Control Plate hydrated with 2mL diluent. Observation: (1) Isolated red colonies with yellow zone. (2) Isolated
red colony with gas bubble. (3) Background flora of blue, blue-green
colonies with associated gas bubble.

Figure 3c Figure 3d

3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with Presumptive Positive Colonies
Observation: The five (5) most predominate isolated presumptive
positive colony morphologies (red with yellow zone and red with
associated gas bubble) have been circled on the plates top film.
3M Petrifilm SALX Plate with 3M Petrifilm SALX
Confirmation Disk
Observation: Circled presumptive positive colonies are blue to dark
blue/black with a blue precipitate after the addition and incubation of
the 3M Petrifilm SALX Confirmation Disk. These circled colonies are
biochemically confirmed positive for Salmonella species.

Users Responsibilities: 3M Petrifilm Plate performance has not been evaluated with all combinations of microbial flora, incubation conditions
and food matrixes. It is the users responsibility to determine that any test methods and results meet the users requirements. Should re-printing
of this Interpretation Guide be necessary, users print settings may impact picture and color quality.
5
Reminders for Use: 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System

Media Supplement Enrichment Procedure

1 2 3 4
Aseptically weigh the appropriate Aseptically add the 3M Salmonella Prepare dilution of food product. Add appropriate quantity of
amount of 3M Salmonella Enrichment Supplement to the Weigh or pipette food product the combined 3M Salmonella
Enrichment Supplement. appropriate amount of autoclaved, into a sterile container such as a Enrichment Base plus 3M
prepared 3M Salmonella homogenizer bag or container. Salmonella Enrichment Supplement
Enrichment Base. to the sample bag or container. Printed Colors Front:

Printed Colors Front: Requester: Susan Barker

Creator: deZinnia
Printed Colors Front:
Requester: Susan Barker File Name: 14268_F4_SALX_Base into_Bag_gloves.ai
Creator: deZinnia Structure #: Illustration Scale:
Requester: Susan Barker File Name: 14268_F3_SALX_Bag_Scale.ai Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Creator: deZinnia Printed Colors Front:
Structure #:Illustration Scale: Date: 08/30/12
File Name: 14268_SALX_weigh_supplement.ai Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Structure #: Illustration Scale: Requester: Susan Barker Date: 08/30/12 This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.
Creator: deZinnia
Date: 08/30/12 File Name: 14268_F2_SALX_add_Enrichment.ai This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
Structure #: Illustration Scale: artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.
This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness. Date: 08/30/12

Enrichment Procedure cont. This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

41.5C 1C 41.5C 1C

5 6 7 8
Blend or homogenize sample per Incubate the enriched samples at For high microbial background Incubate the R-V R10 at
current procedure. 41.51C for 1824 hours. For low samples only(>104 CFU/g). 41.51C for 824 hours.
microbial background samples After enrichment incubation, Move to step 13b after first
(<104 CFU/g), move to step 13a transfer 0.1mL into 10mL R-V
PrintedR10.
Colors Front: performing steps 912.
after first performing steps 912. Requester: Susan Barker
Printed Colors Front:
Creator: deZinnia Printed Colors Front:
File Name: 14268_F7_SALX_add_sample_bag.ai Printed Colors Front:
Requester: Susan Barker Structure #: Illustration Scale: Requester: Susan Barker
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Creator: deZinnia Creator: deZinnia
File Name: 14268_F6_SALX_Incubate.ai Date: 08/29/12 Requester: Susan Barker File Name: 14268_F8_SALX_Incubate_tube.ai
Printed Colors Front:
Structure #: Illustration Scale: Creator: deZinnia Structure #: Illustration Scale:
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch This artwork has been created as requested byFile
3M.Name: 14268_F7_SALX_add_sample_bag.ai
3M is responsible for the Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Requester: Susan Barker Date: 08/29/12 Structure
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for#:itsIllustration
correctness. Scale:
Date: 08/30/12
Creator: deZinnia Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
File Name: 14268_F5_IG_PP_SALX.ai This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the Date: 08/29/12 This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
Structure #: Illustration Scale: artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness. artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
Date: 08/31/12 artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the

Hydration Procedure
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

1 hour

9 10 11 12
Note: Hydrated plates can be Gently roll down the top film onto the Place the 3M Petrifilm Flat Spreader Place 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate on
stored at room temperature diluent to prevent trapping air bubbles. on the center of the plate. Press a flat surface for at least 1 hour
(2025C), protected from light, gently on the center of the spreader at room temperature (2025C),
for up to 8 hours before use. If to distribute the diluent evenly. protected from light, to allow the
hydrated plates will not be used Spread the diluent over the entire gel to form.
within 8 hours, refer to Instructions 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate growth area Printed Colors Front:
for Use for storage conditions. before the gel is formed. Do not
slide the spreader across the film. Requester: Susan Barker
Place 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate on a Creator: deZinnia

flat, level surface. With the pipette File Name: 14268_F5_SALX.ai

Structure #: Illustration Scale:
perpendicular to the plate, place Supersedes: NA
Date: 08/30/12
1 Inch

2.0mL of sterile diluent onto the This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
center of the bottom film. artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

6
Reminders for Use: 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System

Plate Inoculation, Incubation and Interpretation

Example
10L Loop (3mm diameter)

13a 13b 14
For low microbial background For high microbial background Perform a single streak, top of
samples, use a sterile 10L loop samples, use a sterile 10L loop plate to bottom of plate, to obtain
to withdraw a full loop of sample. to withdraw a full loop of sample isolated colonies.
Use a smooth loop (one that does for streaking the plate.
not have jagged edges and is not
distorted) to prevent the gel surface Printed Colors Front: Printed Colors Front:

from breaking.Requester: Susan Barker Requester: Susan Barker

Creator: deZinnia Creator: deZinnia
File Name: 14268_F13a_SALX_collect_sample.ai File Name: 14268_F13b_SALX_secondary_enrichment_sample.ai
Structure #: Illustration Scale: #: Illustration
Structure Scale:
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Date: 08/30/12 Date: 08/29/12

This artwork
This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible forhas
thebeen created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
artwork
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.
correctness.

Plate Inoculation, Incubation and Interpretation cont.

41.5C 1C

15 16 17
Roll down the top film to close the Incubate plates at 41.51C for On the 3M Petrifilm SALX Plate top
3M Petrifilm SALX Plate. Using a 242 hours in a horizontal position film, circle isolated presumptive
gloved hand (while practicing good with the colored side up in stacks positive Salmonella colonies
laboratory practices to avoid cross of no more than 20 plates. using a permanent, ultra fine tip
contamination and/or direct contact marker. Biochemically confirm all
with the plate), gently apply a Salmonella presumptive positive Printed Colors Front:
sweeping motion with even pressure results using the 3M Petrifilm SALX
onto the top film to remove any air Confirmation
Requester:Disk.
Susan Barker
Creator: deZinnia
bubbles in the inoculation area. File Name: 14268_F17_SALX_Circle_Plate_closed.ai
Structure #: Illustration Scale:
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
Date: 08/31/12

This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

Biochemical Confirmation

41.5C 1C

18 19 20 21
Remove an individually packaged Using a gloved hand, gently apply a Incubate the 3M Petrifilm Salmonella Remove the 3M Petrifilm Salmonella
3M Petrifilm SALX Confirmation Disk sweeping motion with even pressure Express System (plate and disk) at Express System from the incubator
from its pouch and allow it to come to onto the top film to remove any 41.51C for 45 hours. and proceed with reading the results.
room temperature. Peel the package air bubbles in the inoculation area Look only at the circled colonies.
to expose the disks tab, grasp the tab, and assure good contact between Printed Colors Front:
and remove the disk. Lift thePrinted topColors
film Front: the gel and the 3M Petrifilm SALX Printed Colors
(with
Requester: Susan the already circled presumptive
Barker Confirmation
Requester: Susan Barker
Creator: Disk.
deZinnia
Salmonella
Creator: deZinnia colonies) of the 3M
File Name: 14268_Petrifilm SALX insert disk.ai
File Name: 14268_F10_SALX_finger_smooth.ai
Structure #: Illustration Scale:
Requester: Susan Barker
Creator: deZinnia
Petrifilm
Structure #: Illustration SALX Plate and insert Scale:the
1 Inch
Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
File Name: 14268_F21_SALX_Circle_Plate_closed.ai

Date: disk by rolling it onto the gel to avoid

Supersedes: NA Date: 08/31/12 Structure #: Illustration Scale:
08/31/12 Supersedes: NA 1 Inch
entrapping air bubbles. Close the plate.
This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.
Date: 08/31/12
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness. This artwork has been created as requested by 3M. 3M is responsible for the
artwork AS APPROVED and assumes full responsibility for its correctness.

7
 Order Information
3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System
Product Catalog Number Quantity
6536 50 plates/box
3M Petrifilm Salmonella
Express (SALX) Plate
6537 200 plates/case

6538 5 disks/box
3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express (SALX) Plate and 3M Petrifilm Salmonella
Confirmation Disk Express (SALX) Confirmation Disk
6539 25 disks/case

SEB500 500g/bottle
3M Salmonella Enrichment Base
SEB025 2.5kg/bottle

3M Salmonella Enrichment Supplement SESUP001 1g/vial

3M Petrifilm Flat Spreader 6425 2 spreaders/box

3M Salmonella Enrichment Base and Supplement

3M Media and Sample Handling Products
Product Catalog Number Quantity
3M Rappaport-Vassiliadis R10 (R-V R10) Broth BP0288500 500g/bottle

3M Sample Bags BP701 1,000/box

3M Homogenizer Bags 6469 200/box

3M Sponge-Stick, w/10mL D/E Broth SSL10DE 100/case

3M Petrifilm Flat Spreader 3M Hydrated Sponge, w/10mL D/E
HS10DE2G 100/case
Neutralizing Buffer, 2 gloves
3M Electronic Pipettor II, 5mL 6503 1 each
3M Pipettor Tips, 5mL, wire bore,
6489 500/case
racked, pre-sterilized
To order, call 3M Food Safety Customer Service at 1-800-328-1671 or contact your
local 3M representative.

3M Petrifilm Salmonella Express System and

3M Media and Sample Handling Products

3M Food Safety offers a full line of products to accomplish a variety of your microbial testing needs.
For more product information, visit us at www.3M.com/foodsafety.

Food Safety 3M Canada

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Building 275-5W-05
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USA
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www.3M.com/foodsafety
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Canada
1-800-364-3577 3M and Petrifilm are trademarks of 3M. Used under license in Canada.
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70-2009-9517-6 Rev-0113