Light scattering, fiber optic- and cell-based sensors for sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens

Rapid and sensitive detection tools are essential in pathogen control and prevention in food and in food processing facilities. The conventional culture methods provide reliable results but the analysis time, labor and the cost associated with these methods often pose a great inconvenience to industrial applications. Biosensor-based detection methods are considered to be promising emerging technologies which are capable of fulfilling the current needs in providing results rapidly with improved sensitivity and specificity. In this review we described three cutting-edge optical sensor technologies: light scattering, fiber optic- and cell-based sensors, which are proven to be useful in pathogen detection from food samples.