Using millimeter-waves for rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria in food based on bacteriophage

The accessibility of a rapid method for detection and identification of food-borne pathogens is crucial for food industry worldwide. Antibiotic resistance bacteria (eg, E. coli) that can enter the food chain in different ways, can indeed survive on foods causing disease to humans. Hence, the introduction of a rapid detection technology becomes necessary for the food industry to ensure consumer safety, especially for products with short shelf lives. Bacteriophages can be used to detect and identify bacteria. In this study, a novel biosensor is proposed to detect pathogens by means of phage-based baroreceptor. The biosensing technique is based on millimeter-waves technology in the 30 to 60 GHz frequency range. The proposed biosensor can detect the pathogenic bacteria in different food samples by using a diamond-shape microstrip slot antenna. The bacteriophage-bacterium interaction is detected through the dynamic changes in transmission lines and antennas responses. The correctness of the antenna to detect E. coli in real food sample (tomato) is also investigated. The results indicate that, through the designed sensing elements, the transient interaction between bacteria and phage can effectively be detected. This sensing mechanism allows for a faster, more accurate, and low-cost detection of pathogenic bacteria than traditional assays. Finally, the results are compared with previously reported sensing techniques.