RAPID METHODS AND AUTOMATION IN FOOD MICROBIOLOGY: BEYOND DELPHI FORECAST1

Routine microbiological analysis of foods has traditionally involved estimation of the total numbers of organisms by direct microscopy, viable counts or dye reduction, etc. The conventional methods have been fully or partially automated and alternative methods for estimation of microbial populations based on measurement of amplitude of selected parameter(s) have been introduced over the past two decades. The Delphi Technique is a method for technological forecasting helpful in planning future business activities, particularly in the areas of rapid technological development. In 1980–1981, a Delphi survey was conducted to develop a consensus view of future development in rapid and automated methods in food microbiology. The survey predicted that traditional methods for enumeration organisms in foods, i.e., colony count methods will be superseded by automated and mechanized methods for colony count by the end of the century. However, prediction of acceptance of alternative methodologies for detection and characterization of food-borne pathogens, including the gene probes and the PCR based methods have been introduced. This presentation is designed to review these new technologies as a summary of this symposium.