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 2025 In 2025, Vietnam's brackish water shrimp industry will continue to grow sustainably, enhancing value-added products with strong contributions from local authorities and the business community.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2025, the country's total seafood output was estimated at 594,100 tons, a 0.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Specifically, fish production reached 443,400 tons, up 0.7%; shrimp output was 56,300 tons, up 3.1%; and other seafood products totaled 94,400 tons, down 0.9%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The industrial pangasius production in Vinh Long province in 2024 reached 95,100 tons, a 4% decrease compared to 2023. Despite the decline in production, positive trends in the final months of the year offer hope for improving economic efficiency in the near future. Additionally, the increase in the area for industrial pangasius farming and the maintenance of overall aquaculture area demonstrate the province’s efforts to sustain its production activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2025, Vietnam's total seafood export value reached 774.3 million USD, a 3.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This is a positive result compared to January 2023, when the Lunar New Year fell at the end of the month, significantly impacting export outcomes.
(seafood.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam exported shrimp to 107 markets, up from 102 in 2023. The top 5 major markets for Vietnam’s shrimp exports were China & Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan, the EU, and South Korea, accounting for 76% of the total shrimp export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2024, Vietnam's seafood sector successfully exported to numerous countries, reaching a milestone of USD 10 billion, a 12% increase compared to 2023. 2025 promises to be a prospective year for promoting exports to various markets, including target and potential markets such as the US, China, ASEAN, and the Middle East.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU has been one of the largest consumers of Vietnamese pangasius over the past decade. However, data from Vietnam Customs reveals a gradual decline in EU imports of pangasius from Vietnam over the last five years.
The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in 2024 by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) was published amid positive developments in the country's seafood industry, marking a successful year with a total export value of USD 10 billion, a 12% increase compared to 2023. This milestone underscores the sustainable growth and exceptional potential of the seafood sector in contributing to the national economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tuna sector faced numerous challenges in the latter half of 2024. While the year proved memorable, with export turnover reaching nearly USD 1 billion, maintaining this growth trajectory requires renewed impetus for the tuna industry.
With Tet (Lunar New Year) approaching, fishermen along Vietnam's central coast are capitalizing on favourable weather conditions to intensify their fishing efforts, meeting the burgeoning demand for seafood across the nation.
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