New Liquid Crystal-Based Technology Rapidly Detects Multiple Pathogens in Food

With the need for faster detection of harmful foodborne pathogens evidenced by ongoing recalls, new fundamental liquid crystal biosensor technologies have been developed jointly by a research partnership between Kent State University and Northeast Ohio Medical University.

The Crystal Diagnostics MultiPath System technology, in development since 2006, uses liquid crystals to detect multiple harmful pathogens in food in a single test. As the exclusive licensee, Crystal Diagnostics introduced the new technology with an October demonstration at the company's manufacturing facility in the Kent State Centennial Research Park. The equipment will be further beta-tested this fall in field trials at leading food processing companies and laboratories.

The technology includes two pieces of equipment. The first is a "cassette" containing five individual "cells," two of which are control cells and three are test cells. A prepared (enriched) sample—from ground beef or lettuce, for example—is mixed with liquid crystals and an antibody or antibody "cocktail" for the pathogen or pathogens being sought. The second piece is a "reader." The cassette is inserted into the reader. If the pathogen or pathogens being sought are present, the liquid crystal—aligned in the reader—will be disrupted. The reader recognizes this disruption and displays the result on an iPad or other device in less than 30 minutes.

In addition, a single test can detect multiple pathogens, and the nature of the technology reduces false positives and negatives even before the built-in protection of the two control cells is considered.

"The need for faster yet highly reliable processes to detect pathogens has never been higher given the recent deadly food outbreaks," says Paul Repetto, CEO of Crystal Diagnostics. "In 2011, a new strain of E. coli appeared in Germany sickening thousands and killing some. Millions of pounds of meat have been recalled at great expense, and most recently 25 people died from Listeria contaminated melons. This new technology can have a profound impact on public health."