Fluorescent nanoparticles: Sensing pathogens and toxins in foods and crops

Emerging tools in molecular nanotechnology will be useful to monitor and quantify pathogen levels and toxin production inter-and intra-cellularly and on the surface of foods. Recent developments in the manufacture and modification of fluorescent nanoparticles, quantum dots (QD), in conjunction with established molecular beacon (MB) technology, have demonstrated potential for on-the-food detection and quantification of pathogens and toxins harmful to human health. Recent research has demonstrated QDs effective use for in vivo cellular imaging, demonstrating its potential use in detecting live bacterial contamination in foods and crops. We envisage food protection systems using automated sampling of food products with near instantaneous detection and reporting of food contaminants using molecular nanotechnologies. We also address the potential limitations of these emerging technologies and how shortcomings can be addressed.