Emerging electrochemical biosensing approaches for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food samples: An overview

Background: Colony plate counting still remains the gold standard procedure for the identification of viable Listeria monocytogenes cells and to address microbiological quality assurance of foodstuff. However, this classical method requires an analysis time superior to the current demands in food industry. Hence, new time-enhanced methods based on improved cultural techniques, nucleic acid detection and immunological assays have raised as new validated alternatives. Nevertheless, those rapid methods still require specific and expensive equipment and imply a considerable workload. Scope and approach: In the last years, electrochemical biosensors and bioassays have been intensively investigated, emerging as excellent alternatives to surpass the disadvantages of the conventional and standard rapid methods. They provide the desired fast, sensitive and selective response, towards a portable, cost-effective and user-friendly performance. Therefore, in this work, a comprehensive review about the foundations, current achievements and limitations described over the past fifteen years for electrochemical biosensing of Listeria monocytogenes in food products is presented. Key findings and conclusions: The latest innovations rely on the use of low-cost electrochemical transducers, integration of novel (nano)materials and incorporation of new bioreceptors in the sensing strategy. Single-cell detection and intelligent packaging are also growing trends. Regardless of the remaining challenges, that still need to be overcome, electrochemical biosensing seems to have a role as one of the promising strategies to lead the future of foodborne pathogen analysis.