Biomolecular Architectures Molecular Biology
Abstract
Research was conducted to demonstrate real-time detection and monitoring of foodborne pathogens and transgenes within buffers, foods and plants. Signature molecules derived from the Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, transgenic tobacco containing the transgene, Bt cry1Ac, the Gram-negative bacterium, Salmonella Typhimurium, and the Gram-positive bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, were monitored for detection by coupling molecular beacon (MB) technology utilizing fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), luminescent nanoscale semiconductor quantum dots and quenchers. Probes were designed and prepared for detecting the Bt cry1Ac gene,the invA gene, and the hlyA gene from B. thuringiensis, S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes respectively, for use in real-time monitoring within buffer, water, milk, apple juice, chicken broth, and Arabidopsis leaves. We successfully detected changes in fluorescence at MB concentrations from ca. 1.2 to 40 nM, depending upon respective target and target concentration. We demonstrated the ability to detect the presence of target sequence and nucleic acid extracted from bacteria (in vitro monitoring) in several liquid food systems and within plant tissue, which demonstrates use in monitoring for bacterial pathogens in foods and crops.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA577862
Entities
People
- C. N. Stewart Jr.
- K. Burris
- R. Millwood
Organizations
- University of Tennessee system