An integrated flow cytometry-based system for real-time, high sensitivity bacterial detection and identification.
Foodborne illnesses occur in both industrialized and developing countries, and may be increasing due to rapidly evolving food production practices. Yet some primary tools used to assess food safety are decades, if not centuries, old. To improve the time to result for food safety assessment a sensitive flow cytometer based system to detect microbial contamination was developed. By eliminating background fluorescence and improving signal to noise the assays accurately measure bacterial load or specifically identify pathogens. These assays provide results in minutes or, if sensitivity to one cell in a complex matrix is required, after several hours enrichment. Conventional assessments of food safety require 48 to 56 hours. The assays described within are linear over 5 orders of magnitude with results identical to culture plates, and report live and dead microorganisms. This system offers a powerful approach to real-time assessment of food safety, useful for industry self-monitoring and regulatory inspection.
National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, Arkansas, United States of America.
Dan A
DA
Buzatu
Vivione Biosciences, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States of America.
Ted J
TJ
Moskal
National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, Arkansas, United States of America.
Anna J
AJ
Williams
National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, Arkansas, United States of America.
Willie Mae
WM
Cooper
PharmPoint Consulting, Poolesville, Maryland, United States of America.
William B
WB
Mattes
National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, Arkansas, United States of America.
Jon G
JG
Wilkes
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D003199:Computer Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000254:growth & development; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / Q000032:analysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D005513:Food Inspection; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010209:Paper; D049920:Ralstonia pickettii / Q000254:growth & development; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate