Abstract: Compositions comprising at least one cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agent and at least one other antimicrobial agent and methods of making and using these compositions are provided. The cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agents comprise 1,1-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the detection of a specific target bacteria in a complex sample mixture. The sample mixture may contain a variety of components including non-target or background microorganisms as well as other organic contaminants such as food debris. The method proceeds by first culturing the complex sample mixture in a non-selective growth medium, followed by isolation and detection of target bacteria DNA. Target DNA is detected via a DNA amplification protocol with a primer pair selected to amplify a specific, identifying portion of the target bacteria DNA. A control DNA is amplified concurrently with the target bacteria target DNA. The control DNA is specifically designed to be amplified with a single primer that is identical to one of the primers used in the amplification of the target genomic DNA. Use of this control validates the amplification reaction. Detection of the amplified target DNA and the control is accomplished by gel electrophoresis or by fluorescent means.