As detection technologies have moved into the 21^st Century to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and speed of food product analysis, including methods employing whole genome sequencing, metagenomics and mass spectrometry, the rate-limiting step for start-to-finish processing remains sample preparation. The challenges include several key points: (1) is the target a pathogen (biotic) or chemical/toxin (abiotic), (2) is there bias in the extraction process, and (3) does the recovery efficiency provide a sufficient level of target for downstream analysis, considering the sensitivity of the detection method?  In an ideal world, live pathogens would be enriched/cultured in one “universal” medium, isolated and characterized within one working day in the analytical laboratory. For microbes or chemicals/toxins that cannot be amplified by culture means, extraction processes would be designed to isolate a sufficient amount of material for further identification in assays that are based on small sample volumes. This symposium will address these most relevant issues, current status with respect to several pathogens or toxins/chemicals, and how current state-of-the-art technology is dependent upon sample preparation and efficient extraction methods.

Presentations