Micro and nanotechnology based approaches to detect pathogenic agents in food

Foodborne illnesses caused by pathogenic agents continue to be one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. Rapid and sensitive detection methods for pathogenic microorganisms are essential to mount effective responses to microbial contamination, including foodborne outbreaks and bioterrorist attacks. Advanced strategies exploiting the latest micro- and nanoscale technologies have been developed in the last decades, bringing new insights into the detection of pathogenic agents in foods. In particular, recent efforts have focused on unique sample preparation methods, novel assay formats, and miniaturized detection platforms. In this book chapter we endeavor to summarize the latest micro- and nanotechnology based approaches to detect pathogenic agents in food, as well highlighting the most promising technologies with regard to their future exploitation. Our goal is to provide the reader with new insights into how and when these technologies can be exploited to ensure the enumeration, and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria in foods.