FOCUS ON INNOVATION
By A. Crispin Philpott
Something Old, Something New:
Innovation within
Existing Food Testing
Technologies
In an earlier article, A Summary Profile of Pathogen Detection Technologies (Food Safety Magazine, April/May 2009), three
foodborne pathogen detection technologies were examined—conventional
culture (the “gold standard”) and two
prevailing rapid test methodologies (immunoassay and molecular biology). Comparisons were provided in terms of critical performance
attributes—speed, accuracy and ease-of-use. Procedures and end-user costs for each technology were addressed. The article’s objective was to profile the value of pathogen testing within the broader
rapid immunoassay and molecular
methods areas—the magneto immuno-chromatography test (MICT) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification
(LAMP). Both appear to deliver improvements in the key areas of detection
speed and accuracy, ease-of-use and cost-effectiveness. While each maintains “one
foot in conventional detection technology” (immunology or molecular biology), their respective innovations may
provide superior solutions to ongoing
food safety and process control challenges. The article closes with a suggested framework for test method
assessment and selection.
Innovations in Immunology
and Molecular Biology
MICT (Figure 1) consists of antibody-coated superparamagnetic
nanoparticles in a lateral flow immunoassay format. The system includes
a highly sensitive, low-cost magnetic
reader for automated, non-subjective de-
Figure 1: MICT Magnetometer
context of food safety and process control programs, and provide
the reader with a performance-based analysis of several available
pathogen detection options.
Amid recurring food-related public health issues, mounting consumer expectation and regulatory food safety requirements, coupled with a relentless industry
drive for competitive advantage, an environment has emerged in which food safety
failure is not a commercial option. Linking a product with a foodborne pathogen,
resulting in consumer illness, is a catastrophic event for the food processor; few re-cover from a single incident.
On a brighter note, this evolving environment has also promoted the develop-
ment and commercialization of new and improved pathogen detection capabilities.
This follow-up article will focus on two recent technology developments in the
tection of the target. If the result is posi-
tive, then system software can also
back-calculate the original contamina-
tion level, based on sample enrichment
T-values (time), producing both qualita-
tive (presence/absence) and quantitative
(original cell count) results. The MICT
innovation reflects a well-established
ELISA technology for pathogen detec-
tion, achieving capture of the target
through antigen/antibody binding affin-
ity, but utilizes magnetic nanoparticles
in the detection phase versus an optical
conjugate/substrate enzyme reaction to
produce color change or fluorescence.
