Strategies behind biosensors for food and waterborne pathogens

Abstract

Slackness in the quality control of food and water consumed by human and other animals has become a significant issue which enhances the possibilities of cross-contamination with harmful pathogenic microbes. Intake of the contaminated food and water are the causes for the over abundance of infectious diseases in both animals and humans, and this has thus emerged as a global health concern. Detection of microbial contamination in food and water has relied on conventional methods which demand intensified pre-enrichment steps followed by laborious biochemical identification techniques. Recently, most promising and advanced techniques in biological sensor development have dragged all the scientist’s attention which primarily deals with rapid real-time sensing applications due to its selectivity, sensitivity and specificity. In this book chapter, the possible routes of pathogenic infections have been outlined along with its various detection mechanisms. Additionally, strategies for the biosensor development have also been elaborated based on their transducing properties.