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A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment in Food Safety (1995-2024)
Amil Orahovac1, Nađa Raičević1, Aleksandra Martinović1
1Faculty of Food Technology, Food Safety and Ecology, University of Donja Gorica, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 14, 2026
Summary
Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) research shows steady growth, focusing on pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria. Key methods include exposure assessment and dose-response modeling, with international collaboration strengthening food safety risk analysis.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety Science
- Microbiology
- Risk Assessment
Background:
- Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is crucial for evaluating foodborne hazards.
- Its rapid expansion necessitates a structured overview of research trends and themes.
- A bibliometric review provides insights into the evolution of QMRA in food safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a bibliometric and systematic review of QMRA research in food safety.
- To analyze publication trends, influential contributors, and collaboration patterns.
- To identify dominant themes and research trajectories in the field.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of 186 articles from 1995-2024, retrieved from Scopus.
- Performance analysis and science mapping techniques were employed.
- Thematic analysis focused on core methodologies and key pathogens.
Main Results:
- QMRA research demonstrates steady long-term growth.
- A concentrated influence structure exists, dominated by specialized journals and institutions.
- International collaboration, especially within Europe, is strong.
- Core themes include probabilistic exposure assessment, Monte Carlo simulation, predictive microbiology, and dose-response modeling.
- Key pathogens studied are *Campylobacter*, *Salmonella*, *Listeria monocytogenes*, and *Escherichia coli*.
- Persistent challenges involve uncertainty, cross-contamination, and dose-response relationships.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a structured overview of the QMRA landscape in food safety.
- Findings highlight priorities for methodological refinement.
- Future applications in food safety risk assessment can be informed by this review.
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