Reduction of food matrix interference by a combination of sample preparation and multi-dimensional gating techniques to facilitate rapid, high sensitivity analysis for Escherichia coli serotype O157 by flow cytometry

► Matrix autofluorescent particles reduced via physical, chemical, and data treatments. ► Sample preparations to reduce interference varied from 10 to 30 min. ► Detection Limit, 25 g spinach, 4 h enrichment, was 1 E. coli O157 cell. ► 94% correct vs. culture plating for 8 cell spike into 25 g. ► Interference reduction steps for 15 foods presented (preliminary).