Universal Pre-enrichment Broth is used for the recovery of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. in a laboratory setting. Universal Pre-enrichment Broth is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.

Traditional methods for recovering Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. from food products require separate pre-enrichment media for each microorganism. Some broth media recommended for preenrichment contain antibiotic inhibitors or have insufficient buffering capacity which hinder recovery of sublethally injured cells.

Bailey and Cox formulated Universal Preenrichment Broth to permit simultaneous resuscitation of sublethally injured Salmonella and Listeria. The broth medium provides sufficient buffering capacity to prevent rapid decreases in pH and allows for repair of injured cells that might be sensitive to low pH values or inhibitory substances.

Universal Pre-enrichment Broth is used as the preenrichment for Salmonella testing of orange & apple juice, cider, cantaloupes, tomatoes, and mamey pulp according to FDA/BAM Methods.