A team led by Professor Hiroshi Shiigi at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University has developed technology to identify specific foodborne pathogenic bacteria.  Nanohybrid structures with adherent antibodies can serve as indicators for the presence of homologous pathogens.  The metal nanoparticles can be detected based on color differences under scattered light.  The nanohybrid structures bind to pathogens and depending on the specificity of the antibody can differentiate among strains of E. coli.  Under laboratory conditions, it was possible to distinguish between E. coli O26 and E. coli O157 when these pathogens were added to decomposing meat.

Dr. Shiigi noted, “We aim to establish new detection principles and testing methods through the development of unique nano-biomaterials that will contribute to food safety and security.”

*So, T. et al Simultaneous optical detection of multiple bacterial species using nano meter-scaled metal-organic hybrids. Analytical Chemistry. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01188 (2022).