Researchers from Saudi Arabia and Jordan have invented a cheap sensor that can detect foodborne pathogens within minutes and which\u00a0can be used by anyone.<\/p>\n
The sensor can detect, among other pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes<\/em>, a notoriously harmful pathogen that has caused numerous infections worldwide and whose inspection and detection efforts exhaust billions of dollars every year, says a new study<\/a> published in Biosensors & Bioelectronics<\/em>.<\/p>\n The sensor itself is made of magnetic nanoparticles. It can detect minute traces or serial dilutions of Listeria<\/em> in milk and meat, as the study demonstrates. \u201cThe sensor’s performance is superior in terms of its simplicity, cost and speed,\u201d says researcher Mohammed Zourob, the study’s corresponding author.<\/p>\n Zourob adds that the sensor can be used by non-skilled personnel to check the food contamination; food manufacturers, stores, distributors and even laypersons can use it.<\/p>\n The biosensor changes color from black to yellow in less a minute time when it detects Listeria<\/em>. Zourob\u2019s team has also developed sensors that can detect other food pathogens such as Escherichia\u00a0\u00a0coli<\/em>,\u00a0Salmonella<\/em>, Shigella flexnerii<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Researchers from Saudi Arabia and Jordan have invented a cheap sensor that can detect foodborne pathogens within minutes, or less, and which\u00a0can be used by anyone. Read more<\/a> Continue reading