Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for molecular analysis of food samples. A fingerprint spectrum can be obtained for a target molecule by using Raman technology, as specific signals are obtained for chemical bonds in the target. In this way, food components, additives, processes and changes during shelf life, adulterations and numerous contaminants such as microorganisms, chemicals and toxins, can also be determined with or without the help of chemometric methods. The studies included in this review show that Raman spectroscopy has great potential for food analyses. In this review, we aim to bring together Raman studies on components, contaminants, raw materials, and adulterations of various food, and attempt to prepare a database of Raman bands obtained from food samples.

In this study, peptides were selected to recognize staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) which cause food intoxication and can be used as a biological war agent. By using commercial M13 phage library, single plaque isolation of 38 phages was done and binding affinities were investigated with phage-ELISA. The specificities of the selected phage clones showing high affinity to SEB were checked by using different protein molecules which can be found in food samples. Furthermore, the affinities of three selected phage clones were determined by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors. Sequence analysis was realized for three peptides showing high binding affinity to SEB and WWRPLTPESPPA, MNLHDYHRLFWY, and QHPQINQTLYRM amino acid sequences were obtained. The peptide sequence with highest affinity to SEB was synthesized with solid phase peptide synthesis technique and thermodynamic constants of the peptide-SEB interaction were determined by using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and compared with those of antibody-SEB interaction. The binding constant of the peptide was determined as 4.2+/-0.7 x 10(5)M(-1) which indicates a strong binding close to that of antibody.

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In this experimental study, we developed lateral flow immunoassay strips for the detection of Escherichia coli.