Biosensors for detection of food pathogens

Food pathogens frequently cause food-borne diseases. There is a need to rapidly identify the source of the bacteria in order to contain their spread and the epidemics. A pre-enrichment culture or a direct culture on agar plate are standard microbiological methods. In this review we present an update on molecular methods alternative to nucleic acid based detection for species identification. Biosensor based methods rely on recognition of antigen targets or receptors by antibodies, aptamers or high affinity ligands. The captured antigens may be then directly or indirectly detected through an antibody or high//affinity and high/specificity recognition molecule. Various different detection methods are discussed, from label-free sensors and immunosensors to fluorescence-based ones. Each method shows advantages and disadvantages in terms of equipment, sensitivity, simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Finally, Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices, are introduced briefly, with the potential to be fast, sensitive, and useful for on-site bacteria detection in food processing laboratories to check potential contamination by sample monitoring combined with a rapid pre-enrichment step.