Portable micro-spectrometric LAMP platform for rapid semi-quantitative pathogen detection in food safety

This study reports the development of an integrated, portable analytical platform combining a micro-spectrometer with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the rapid, on-site detection of Vibrio vulnificus. The system, controlled by LinkIt 7697 microprocessors, achieves precise thermal regulation within ±0.32 °C at 64 °C and features a customized optical path for real-time fluorescence monitoring. Utilizing calcein as a metal-sensitive fluorescent indicator, the device captures the spectral shift and intensity enhancement resulting from the displacement of manganese ions during DNA synthesis. Unlike traditional photodiode-based sensors, the integrated micro-spectrometer enables full-spectrum analysis at 1-minute intervals, providing superior discrimination between true positive signals and background autofluorescence. Experimental results demonstrate successful detection of Vibrio vulnificus genomic fragments within 40 minutes, achieving a detection limit of 0.1 pg/μL, with data automatically synchronized to a cloud database for remote epidemiological surveillance. The combination of high-fidelity spectral acquisition and isothermal chemistry offers a robust, cost-effective solution for food safety monitoring and point-of-care testing in resource-limited environments.