Overview of validated alternative methods for the detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens

Background: Despite huge efforts to combat foodborne bacterial pathogens, the number of foodborne infections remains high throughout the world. Culture-dependent gold standard detection methods with their tedious and time-consuming procedures have approached their limits whereas the use of rapid and user-friendly alternative methods is on the rise. Validation by independent institutions, e.g. AOAC, AFNOR, MicroVal and NordVal. is a key element to demonstrate the applicability of a new method and its equivalence with standard procedures (e.g. DIN, ISO). Scope and approach: In this review, the suitability of currently available validated methods for the qualitative and quantitative bacteriological analysis of food is presented and discussed with special emphasis on the method-inherent strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, an overview on general validation characteristics as well as further promising tools for the detection of foodborne pathogens is given. Key findings and conclusions: Improved cultivation methods as well as nucleic acid based and immunological methods dominate the market of alternative methods while emerging techniques like mass spectrometry, microarrays and phage-based techniques have yet to be thoroughly validated. Harmonized validation procedures are highly desirable as well as enhanced efforts to develop validated tests for a greater variety of pathogens, since current validated tests are mainly confined to the detection of Salmonella enterica and Listeria spp. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.