Canadian researchers, writing in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, show how their fluorescent test system – DNAzymes – designed to track the DNA trails of pathogens does not require the time consuming steps and specialized equipment typically used in standard microbial tests.
"Current methods of foodborne bacterial detection take time. The five days it takes to detect listeria, for example, can translate into an outbreak that costs lives.
We have developed a universal test that uses less complex procedures but still generates precise and accurate results," said lead researcher, biochemist Yingfu Li.
Bacteria have their own spoor, leaving behind DNA trails of bacterial 'droppings'. So Li explained that, based on this fact, his team developed a testing method that works by tracking these metabolic by-products with molecular beacons that light up when they detect the DNA sequence left behind.
He said the DNAzymes method can be used to set up a simple ‘mix-and-read’ bacterial detection assay.
"More importantly, we have demonstrated that our method has the capability to detect a single live cell,” said the authors, who stressed that the ability to to do so is a hallmark of a method to detect food-borne pathogens.
Furthermore, the Canadian researchers report that although their method was demonstrated using a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli, it can “easily be implemented for pathogenic bacteria and viruses.”
They added that while the demonstrated assay used fluorescence as the reporting mechanism, the same DNAzyme probe could be used for the design of a colorimetric assay using a rolling circle amplification/organic dye strategy.
USDA testing call
There have been notable outbreaks of foodborne illnesses arising out of E.coli contamination of foods such as beef, spinach and dough in the
Last week saw the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) claim that 44 of the most serious food recalls in the US from 2007 to 2009 could have been prevented if the agency had had a ‘test and hold’ procedure in place for meat and poultry products during that period.
In light of this, the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, which inspects “billions of pounds of meat, poultry and processed egg products annually” has proposed that companies should hold meat and poultry products until inspectors have received foodborne pathogen test results, in an effort to reduce illness.
The American Meat Institute, which represents most of the meat processing sector in the
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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