Lab-On-A-Chip (LOC) Technology Applications in Food Microbiology

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems, which have emerged in the last two decades and used for fluid processing in a micro-channel structure at microliter levels, are alternatives to conventional methods. Because of the unique properties of microstructures, LOC systems can make complex analyses more efficient with lower cost, energy and chemical consumption than conventional systems, and they become a valuable option for many applications such as biomedical, food, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy and agriculture in these aspects. In addition, these systems are suitable for automation and have a potential to be portable. Especially in some cases of food industry, obtaining analysis results quickly has a great importance for food plants. For this reason, recently developed LOC technology has become important in food industry because of their features such as quick response in microbiological analysis, no requirement for skilled personnel, and small sample needed. In this study, principles of LOC devices, integrated systems used with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry, biosensors and application of these systems in food microbiology are reviewed