Biosensors for Toxins and Bacteria

The rapid and sensitive detection of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Listeria), pesticides (herbicides [Atrazine]) and marine toxins (brevetoxin, saxitoxin) are important in the food industry. Bacterial organisms cause severe food poisoning, thyphoid fever and other gastrointestinal infections. Pesticides which contact food in the production process may cause serious illness. Toxins like brevetoxin, saxitoxin or domoic acid contaminate seafood, causing illness or death if ingested.