USDA scientist in Athens, Georgia is exploring the potential for quick, easy and reliable detection of salmonella and other foodborne pathogens with a technology known as SERS – surface-enhanced Raman scattering. If the technology is proven successful – the technique might be used at public health labs around the country to rapidly identify salmonella or other pathogens that are responsible for foodborne illnesses. Foodmakers might also be able to use SERS at their in-house quality control labs. Tests have shown that SERS can differentiate between two different kinds of Salmonella. Further research could prove the superiority of SERS in finding very small quantities of bacteria in a complex, real-world background – such as a food or beverage sample.

Courtesy: NAFB News