Progress in methods for the detection of viable <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Abstract

<i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) is a prevalent enteric bacterium and a necessary organism to monitor for food safety and environmental purposes. Developing efficient and specific methods is critical for detecting and monitoring viable <i>E. coli</i> due to its high prevalence. Conventional culture methods are often laborious and time-consuming, and they offer limited capability in detecting potentially harmful viable but non-culturable <i>E. coli</i> in the tested sample, which highlights the need for improved approaches. Hence, there is a growing demand for accurate and sensitive methods to determine the presence of viable <i>E. coli</i>. This paper scrutinizes various methods for detecting viable <i>E. coli</i>, including culture-based methods, molecular methods that target DNAs and RNAs, bacteriophage-based methods, biosensors, and other emerging technologies. The review serves as a guide for researchers seeking additional methodological options and aiding in the development of rapid and precise assays. Moving forward, it is anticipated that methods for detecting <i>E. coli</i> will become more stable and robust, ultimately contributing significantly to the improvement of food safety and public health.