The Use of Flow-based Technologies for Food Analysis

Analysis of the microbial composition of food is important for food safety, hygiene and the proper management of food production processes. Rapid microbial analysis technologies are constantly evolving to replace standard, time-consuming, culture-based methods. Flow cytometry methods allow multiparametric analysis of large numbers of cells individually in a sample. Advances in flow cytometry methods for bacterial analysis, development of user-friendly flow cytometry platforms, and the production of genus- and species-specific antibodies have allowed development of flow cytometry protocols for specific microbial detection in a range of foods and beverages. The potential for flow cytometry as a high-throughput, rapid, online microbial analysis method has been realized for certain matrices, such as raw milk and drinking-water; however, more complex food compositions pose problems for sensitive and accurate cell detection by this method. Advances made to date in immuno-flow cytometry for food analysis and the obstacles yet to be overcome are discussed in this chapter.