Developed by Portuguese scientist Sensor allows detecting dangerous foodborne bacteria

Every year millions of people are affected by diseases caused by food-borne bacteria and some of them have even died. One of the main food-borne bacteria that causes these deaths and illnesses is the listeria, which leads to Listeriosis.

However, researchers at the University of Southampton, led by Portugal's Salome are testing a Ganai new device which detects the most common cause of listeriosis, directly on surfaces where food is prepared, without having to send samples to be tested in the laboratory.

Listeriosis is caused by the bacterium Listera monocytogenes and mainly affects newborns, the elderly, pregnant women and patients with immunodeficiency, although it is a rare disease. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread through the body and cause dangerous diseases, such as meningitis. Usually the bacteria enters the body through food such as milk, cheese, fish, meat and vegetables.

However, this new sensor may prevent many clinical complications caused by the bacteria. The sensor is embedded in a device that uses pressurized air and water to isolate the cells from the surface to test and then puts them in touch with an antibody specifically prepared for detection, as referred to in Gizmag. If the bacteria is present via antibody become fluorescent and this fluorescence is detected by a camera designed specifically for the device.

"We have investigated biofilms in different environments to search the right pressure to remove the cells of different surfaces, without harming their own cells," explained Salome Gião, licensed in biological engineering at the University of Minho. "We also found that biofilms may form on the surfaces, even if they are covered with water".

Currently, the bacterium detection techniques are based on laboratory tests, which can take days until they know the outcome. Additionally, although the current tests identify all types of cells, they do not discriminate and dangerous living cells and dead cells and harmless. The new device is designed to overcome these problems, with the ability to accumulate and detect the pathogen at the site within three to four hours. See a photo of the team at the University of Southampton â€" Salome Gião is in the foreground.

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