Page 33 - FoodFocusThailand No.161 August 2019

SPECIAL FOCUS

PCR & LAMP: Amplification complex matrices, especially in the low-
Strategies resource environments. From a tangential
Food safety pathogen detection view, with the recent advancements and
protocols aim to find the single cell of shift-in-focus to the “-omics” technologies,
a target organism lurking in a relatively it can be argued that the need to develop
large sample. In order to achieve or improve on other PCR-like technologies
detection, molecular technologies is likely going to take a back seat.
utilize amplification strategies to
increase the concentration of target
DNA to a detectable level.
Nucleic acid amplifications in both
PCR and isothermal technologies start
by making a variety of amplified
products. These products include non-
specific amplifications (NSA), and
specific (target) amplifications. Ideally,
the concentration of the desired target
amplified product increases over time
to levels above NSA where the
detection chemistries are able to
provide a detectable signal from the
desired amplified product (target).
Various reaction components such as:
Target DNA concentration,
polymerase, buffers and primers play
a defining role in maintaining the
progressive amplification dynamics,
and thereby act as core contributors
to the robustness of the reaction.

Food Industry Applications
Among the molecular methods, both
PCR and Isothermal technologies
have a place and will continue to
shape the food safety industry. The
evolutionary genesis of these
technologies can provide clues into
the specific suitability for the different
stakeholders within the food industry.
PCR has come a long way.
Over the years, many users have
reported on its strengths and
shortcomings, and a continuous
development path has led to reliable
technology that continues to be a
benchmark for the molecular detection
technologies. Other adaptable and
advanced capabilities, like dynamic
IAC inclusion, multiplexing, proven
compatibility to peripherals like
robotics for high throughput testing,
adaptation for POCT, and easy access
will continue to make PCR a favorable
solution in the foreseeable future.
Isothermal amplification
technologies, including LAMP, provide
interesting opportunities in non-
conventional test environments,
presenting viable alternatives for non-

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