2011 - 20th Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium

Session Time : 4/12/11 12:15 PM - 4/12/11 1:30 PM

Content Area : Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Student Presenters :
Brinda Monian Chemical Engineering

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Saad Khan Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Abstract Title : Rapid Detection of Food-Borne Pathogens Using Nanostructured Membranes

Abstract :
As evidenced by massive food recalls of recent years, the food industry is in critical need of a solution to the problem of dangerous bacteria and viruses present in food, such as salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the U.S. alone, 76 million illnesses occur annually from food-borne pathogens. In addressing this problem, the food industry would highly benefit from a more convenient way to proactively detect pathogens. Food samples could be routinely and rapidly tested during production and processing, before any infected products are sent to stores, become available to the public, and then require recalling. We are investigating a novel method to quickly (in a few hours) and sensitively detect pathogens in food samples. Our unique procedure utilizes nanofibers, or extremely thin fibers under a micron in diameter. We believe that nanofibrous membranes hold great promise as a material on which to trap pathogens for detection, because of their high surface area and loading capacity. In our envisioned method, antibodies that recognize specific pathogens are immobilized on the nanofibers. The membrane is then exposed to a liquid food sample. Any pathogen, if present, becomes bound to its corresponding antibodies on the membrane. Next, the membrane is soaked in a solution of enzyme-tagged antibodies. If these antibodies also latch onto pathogen on the membrane, the enzyme will catalyze a rapid color-change reaction. The color change indicates the presence and amount of harmful bacteria or viruses in the food sample.