Rapid detection methods for foodborne pathogens based on nucleic acid amplification: Recent advances, remaining challenges, and possible opportunities

Abstract

This article presents a review of recent advancements in the utilization of NAA-based techniques for detecting foodborne pathogens in food products, focusing on studies conducted within the past five years. This review revealed that recent research efforts have primarily aimed at enhancing sensitivity and specificity by improving sample pre-treatment/preparation, DNA isolation, and readout methods. Isothermal-based amplification methods, such as LAMP, RPA, RAA, and RCA, have emerged as promising approaches, providing rapid results within one h and often demonstrating comparable or superior sensitivity to conventional or qPCR methods. However, the attention paid to specific pathogens varies, with Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., E. coli, and V. parahaemolyticus receiving more focus than norovirus and other similar pathogens. NAA-based methods have the potential to significantly contribute to food safety and public health protection. However, further advancements are necessary to fully realize their benefits.

Keywords: Foodborne pathogen; Isothermal amplification; Molecular detection method; Polymerase chain reaction; Thermo-cycle amplification.

Fig. 1

A schematic representation of the PCR, NASBA, RPA/RAA, and RCA technique.

Fig. 2

A schematic representation of the SRCA, NASBA, SDA, and EXPAR technique.

Fig. 3

A schematic representation of the SPIA, HDA, and CPA technique.

Fig. 4

Interrelated concepts for promoting the widespread implementation of NAA-based methods in food safety areas.