Efficacy of a post enrichment acid treatment for isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from alfalfa sprouts

► Detection of E. coli O157:H7 in alfalfa sprouts can be difficult due to the high microflora. ► Procedures for detection and isolation of E. coli O157:H7 from alfalfa sprouts were evaluated. ► Enrichment in mBPW with pyruvate + cefsulodin and vancomycin at 42 °C with shaking was used. ► IMS with the Pathatrix and BeadRetriever were used for concentration of target organisms. ► Acidification of samples after enrichment improved isolation by reducing competing organisms.