Advances in Detecting Viable/Dead Foodborne Microorganisms Using Diverse Functional Nucleic Acid-Based Molecular...

Area of Science:

• Food safety
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Traditional methods for detecting foodborne pathogens are slow and inaccurate.
• Current molecular techniques struggle to differentiate between viable and dead bacteria.
• There is a need for rapid, precise, and field-deployable detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review molecular recognition strategies and functional nucleic acid (FNA) technologies for viable foodborne pathogen detection.
• To categorize biomarkers targeted by FNAs.
• To discuss applications, challenges, and future directions in FNA-based food safety.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of FNA-based detection technologies.
• Categorization of biomarkers (nucleic acids, surface structures, metabolic activities).
• Examination of FNA principles and technological evolution (primers, aptamers, DNAzymes, etc.).

Main Results:

• FNAs provide high sensitivity, specificity, and target diversity for viability detection.
• FNAs can be integrated into various detection platforms.
• Biomarkers include nucleic acids, surface structures, and metabolic activities.

Conclusions:

• FNA-based technologies are a promising alternative for rapid and precise detection of viable foodborne pathogens.
• These methods can enhance food safety risk assessments and public health interventions.
• Further research is needed to address remaining challenges and optimize field applications.