Genomics and Micro- and Nanotechnology for the Quality Assurance in Food Chains

摘要

There is an increasing demand for more fresh or mildly preserved food products. To make sure that the quality and safety of these products is maintained it is necessary to monitor the microbial activity faster and more frequently. An initiative is presented to utilize results of genomics research and combine them with new possibilities of micro- and nanotechnology for the monitoring of microbial food safety and for quality assurance in food chains. The initiative is still in the start-up phase. It aims at the development of knowledge on relevant microorganisms, models to predict quality through the different chains based on discrete measurements of microbial activity, and concepts for the instruments to measure this activity. Three combinations of food chains and microorganisms will be used to develop the knowledge and concepts: chicken-Campylobacter; vegetables-Salmonella/Listeria /Bacilli; and dairy- Listeria/Enterobacteriaceae. The initiative will results in effects on three levels. Technology companies will use the knowledge and concepts to develop compact (hand held) devices for the measurements; food industry will use these devices to optimize and assure quality in food products and to develop new fresh or mildly preserved product concepts; and consumers and society will benefit from the improved quality because they experience less food quality related incidents. Although the interest for the initiative is very extensive funding is not yet available for large parts of it.