Methods for enrichment and detection of pathogens or other microbes in a food, water, wastewater, industrial, pharmaceutical, botanical, environmental samples and other types of samples are provided. Certain aspects provide diluting the sample with liquid enrichment medium at a ratio of sample to diluent between about 1:0.1 to about 1:9 (wt./vol.), or lesser dilution. In particular aspects, a sample is obtained and diluted at a first location, and incubated at an optimal temperature and either tested locally, or sent in a shipping incubator to a second location that may be a remote test location for testing with an assay suitable to detect the pathogen or other microbe. In particular embodiments, no dilution at the first location is required, and optional minimal additions to adjust intrinsic deficiencies may be made, but the sample is nonetheless incubated during transit to the test location.
