In Indiana, two Purdue University researchers developed a technology capable of detecting a strain of E. coli that has been linked to recent, deadly outbreaks in romaine lettuce. The technology uses a cell phone software that can be used to detect harmful bacteria in samples of produce before it is shipped to grocery stores.
“The adoption of this technology will give you firsthand a quicker result, which also means you’ll be able to intervene if you have a contaminated lot before the food is consumed by the consumer,” said Euiwon Bae, a senior research scientist in the School of Mechanical Engineering.
Bruce Applegate, a professor in the department of food science, explained the glowing bacteria as bacteriophages or viruses for bacteria that only infect bacteria and not humans. The genetically modified phages integrate themselves into the bacterial chromosomes and begin producing proteins that are fluorescent and visible to the technology.