Confocal spectral microscopy—an innovative tool for tracking of pathogen agents on contaminated wooden surfaces

Abstract

Contamination of wood is an important consideration when this material is used as food packaging or as workplace surface. It is the reason why the choice of the raw material is important according to its properties related to retention of the bacteria or to inhibition of the bacterial invasion. It is therefore essential to develop a method able to detect and image bacteria on untreated wood surfaces allowing the assessment of the hygienic state of the material. In this study, a rapid non-destructive and sensitive method for detecting and locating bacteria on wood surfaces is described. Spectral confocal microscopy provides the high spatial and spectral resolution necessary to detect and image bacteria on wood.