The new electronic chip. (AIP Advances via SWNS)
By Stephen Beech via SWNS
A new 3D-printed sensor can quickly detect potentially deadly food bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, according to a new study.
Scientists say the microchip can reduce food poisoning outbreaks by quickly detecting multiple pathogens simultaneously.
When food products are recalled due to contamination of any kind, it can create doubts in the minds of consumers about the safety and reliability of what they are eating and drinking.
And, in some cases, a booster will come too late to prevent people from getting sick.
Despite the food industry’s efforts to combat pathogens, products are still contaminated and people are still getting sick.
Much of the problem, scientists say, is that the tools available to detect dangerous pathogens are often not effective enough to protect the population.
Chinese researchers have now developed a new method of detecting foodborne pathogens that they say is faster, cheaper and more effective than existing technology.
The team from Guangdong University of Technology and Pudong New District People’s Hospital hopes their technique can improve screening processes and prevent contaminated food from falling into the hands of the public.
Study author Dr Silu Feng said: “Detecting these pathogens is challenging, due to their diverse nature and the various environments in which they can thrive.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
“In addition, low concentrations of pathogens in large food samples, the presence of similar non-pathogenic organisms and the complex nature of different food types make accurate and rapid detection difficult.”
He explained that detection methods already exist, such as cell culture and DNA sequencing, but they are “difficult” to use on a large scale, so not all batches of food can be tested thoroughly and some contaminants inevitably slip through the cracks.
Dr Feng said: “Overall, these methods face limitations such as long turnaround times, the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel, and challenges in detecting multiple pathogens simultaneously, highlighting the need for improved detection techniques.”
The Chinese research team, whose results were published in the journal AIP Advances, decided to take a different approach by designing a microfluidic chip that uses light to simultaneously detect multiple types of pathogens.
Their chip is created using 3D printing, making it easy to manufacture in large quantities and modify to target specific pathogens.
Dr. Feng explained that the chip is divided into four sections, each designed to detect a specific pathogen. If that pathogen is present in the sample, it binds to a detection surface and changes its optical properties.
This device allowed researchers to quickly detect several common bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, listeria and S. aureus, at very low concentrations.
Dr. Feng added: “This method can quickly and efficiently detect multiple different pathogens, and the detection results are easy to interpret, which greatly improves the detection efficiency.”
The Chinese team plans to continue developing their device to make it even more applicable to food screening.
