title: Real-time pathogen monitoring during enrichment: a novel nanotechnology-based approach to food safety testing.
abstract: We describe a new approach for the real-time detection and identification of pathogens in food and environmental samples undergoing culture. Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) nanoparticles are combined with a novel homogeneous immunoassay to allow sensitive detection of pathogens in complex samples such as stomached food without the need for wash steps or extensive sample preparation. SERS-labeled immunoassay reagents are present in the cultural enrichment vessel, and the signal is monitored real-time through the wall of the vessel while culture is ongoing. This continuous monitoring of pathogen load throughout the enrichment process enables rapid, hands-free detection of food pathogens. Furthermore, the integration of the food pathogen immunoassay directly into the enrichment vessel enables fully biocontained food safety testing, thereby significantly reducing the risk of contaminating the surrounding environment with enriched pathogens. Here, we present experimental results showing the detection of E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria in several matrices (raw ground beef, raw ground poultry, chocolate milk, tuna salad, spinach, brie cheese, hot dogs, deli turkey, orange juice, cola, and swabs and sponges used to sample a stainless steel surface) using the SERS system and demonstrate the accuracy of the approach compared to plating results.
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. Electronic address: Kristin_Weidemaier@bd.com.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weidemaier
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carruthers
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fallows
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: BD Technologies; 21 Davis Drive; P.O. Box 12016; Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Romer Labs Technology, Inc; 130 Sandy Drive; Newark, DE 19713, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muldoon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005516:Food Microbiology; D059022:Food Safety / Q000379:methods*; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000592:standards*; D008087:Listeria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology; D036103:Nanotechnology; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification
keywords: Food pathogen detection; Nanotechnology; SERS; Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering