Recent trends and developments of PCR-based methods for the detection of food-borne Salmonella bacteria and Norovirus

In recent years, rapid detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) have been continuously developed to improve the detection of food-borne pathogens in food samples. The recent developments of PCR and qPCR in the detection and identification of these food-borne pathogens are described and elaborated throughout this review. Specifically, further developments and improvements of qPCR are discussed in detecting Salmonella and norovirus. Promising advances in these molecular detection methods have been widely used to prevent human food-borne illnesses and death caused by the food-borne pathogens. In addition, this review presents the limitations and challenges of the detection methods which include conventional culture method and conventional PCR method in detecting Salmonella and norovirus. Furthermore, several advances of qPCR such as viability PCR (vPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) have been discussed in the detection of Salmonella and norovirus. Good practice of analysis of the food-borne pathogens and other contaminants in the food industry as well as the advancement of molecular detection methods will help improve and ensure food safety and food quality.

Automated summary

This review discusses the recent advancements of PCR and qPCR in rapidly detecting food-borne pathogens in food samples, with a focus on detecting Salmonella and norovirus. Promising progress in molecular detection methods has been widely used to prevent human food-borne illnesses and improve food safety. The current limitations and challenges of conventional detection methods like culture method and conventional PCR, as well as the future potential of qPCR advancements (vPCR and dPCR), are also presented in this review.