A New Technology for the Rapid Detection and Quantification of Microorganisms in Food

A rapid, efficient method for determining the presence of a wide range of microorganisms in food is needed by the food industry. Knowing the identities of most of the organisms in the microbial population in a food would be helpful in prediction of the shelf-life and for clarification of safety issues. The technology described will allow suppliers to characterize, monitor, and quantify microorganisms in ready-to-eat foods and will provide critical information concerning spoilage and contamination. We envision deployment of this technology for widespread use by major food manufacturers and testing agencies to provide cost-effective services.