Contamination Of Milk Research Articles

Milk contamination in Europe under anticipated climate change scenarios

Transforming the food system while addressing climate change requires proactive measures based on quantitative projections of anticipated future conditions. A key component of the food system that must be considered during this transformation is food safety, which is the focus of this paper. Milk safety has been selected as a case study. Future milk contamination levels in Europe, in terms of total bacterial counts, are evaluated under various climate change scenarios. Projections from multiple climate models are integrated into a data-driven milk contamination model, validated using data from Malta, Spain, and Belgium. The modeling framework accounts for variability among dairy farms and the inherent uncertainties in climate projections. Results are presented through geographical heatmaps, highlighting coastal and southern areas such as Portugal, Western Spain, Southern Italy, and Western France as regions expected to face the highest bacterial counts. The analysis underlines the significant roles of humidity and wind speed, alongside temperature. It also examines compliance with the regulatory threshold for raw milk, revealing an increased frequency of summer weeks exceeding the threshold of 100,000 colony-forming units. Based on this analysis, regions are classified into low-risk, high-risk, and emerging-risk categories. This classification can guide the selection of farm strategies aimed at meeting future food safety standards. By informing these decisions with the anticipated impacts of climate change, the food system can be future-proofed.

Aflatoxin M1 level and risk assessment in milk, yogurt, and cheese in Tabriz, Iran

Aim and BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate the presence of aflatoxin M1(AFM1) in milk, yogurt, and cheese samples collected from Tabriz, Iran. Additionally, the study conducted a risk assessment related to the consumption of milk and dairy products within Tabriz city. Study MethodFor this study, 56 samples (raw milk, pasteurized milk, ultra-high temperature milk (UHT), traditional yogurt, pasteurized yogurt, traditional cheese, and pasteurized cheese) were collected randomly in Tabriz from December 2021 to March 2022. The analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography, which was equipped with a fluorescence detector. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) and the hazard index (HI) were calculated for the risk assessment. Results and DiscussionAFM1 was detected in all samples. The highest concentration of AFM1 was observed in traditional cheese (P<0.05). The lowest concentration was observed in UHT milk and there were no significant differences between raw milk and pasteurized yogurt(P<0.05). Moreover, in all samples, the levels of AFM1 were below the maximum limit permitted by Iranian national standards. AFM1 levels in traditional yogurt exceeded the European Union's permissible limit in 25% of the samples. The HI in all samples was less than one for both adult and child consumers, except for milk samples for children, which were more than one and indicated a medium risk. In conclusion, the levels of contamination in milk and dairy products and risk assessment appear not to pose a public health risk to Tabriz consumers.

An Assessment of the Prevalence of Aflatoxin M1 Level in Milk and Milk Powder based on High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Dietary Risk Assessment

Milk is susceptible to Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination, mainly through consumption of contaminated animal's feed. The natural occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFB1) has been surveyed in samples of milk and milk powder. Samples collected from different regions of Saudi Arabia during the period from 2013 to 2021 were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, and (AFB1) was quantified with detection limits of 0.5µg/kg. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has taken strong actions to limit AFM1 contamination, increase aflatoxin control, and modify the regulations. A study analyzed 363 randomly collected milk samples (168 milk, 195 milk powder) from Saudi Arabia using LC-MS/MS. Out of the 363 samples, 20 were positive for AFM1, with 343 were within the limits. One out of the 168 milk samples and 19 out of the 195 milk powder samples exceeded the limits, with seven originating from Saudi Arabia. The highest AFM1 concentration (3.97µg/kg) was found in the Saudi samples. Saudi Arabia's mycotoxin regulations significantly reduced AFM1 contamination in milk, which is not considered a serious health hazard.

Chemical contaminants in donkey milk: A review of literature on sources, routes and pathways of contamination, regulatory framework, health risks, and preventive measures

Chemical contaminants in donkey milk: A review of literature on sources, routes and pathways of contamination, regulatory framework, health risks, and preventive measures

Detection of milk's sheep quality indicators by studying the contamination of milk with some heavy metals in some areas of Hadramout Coast – Yemen

An experimental study was conducted with the aim of using sheep milk as bioindicators of environmental pollution for cadmium, lead and arsenic in some areas of Hadhramout coast in the period from November 2021 to March 2022, 45 samples of milk were collected from five areas of the Hadhramaut coast (Fowah, Al-Ghaleelah Thelah, Shaheer and Al-Khareebah). Cadmium and lead concentrations were measured by (FAAS), while arsenic concentrations were measured by (AAS- MHS 15). The results of study showed that the mean concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in milk samples are 0.0087 ppm, 0.055 ppm and 0.105 ppm; respectively. Concentration of cadmium were higher than the permissible limit according to Europe Union and Codex Alimentarius milk 0.01 ppm in urban areas (Fowah, Al- Ghaleelah, and Shaheer). Lead concentration was found higher than the maximum permissible limit for Europe Union and Codex Alimentarius of lead in milk 0.02 ppm in areas (Fowah, Al- Ghaleelah, and Shaheer). Arsenic concentration was found higher than the maximum permissible limit for Europe Union and of arsenic in milk 0.1 ppm in Thelah area, While Al-Khareebah area was in maximum permissible limit Europe Union. The statistical results showed that there were significant differences between the average concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic at a significant level (p&lt;0.05) in milk samples in the different study areas. This study confirmed that sheep milk are good bioindicators for detecting environmental pollution with heavy metals. The study concluded that the main reason for the high concentrations of cadmium and lead in urban areas are human industrial activities, all process of combustion and industrial and agricultural wastes. The study recommends periodic monitoring and examination of heavy metals in the environment using bioindicators and identifying the main sources of their spread in the environment.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in the milk production chain: Evaluation of virulence genes and clonal diversity of O157:H7 strains

Microbial contamination of milk and dairy products is a significant issue due to sensory changes and the risk of foodborne diseases. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), particularly the O157:H7, are major pathogens transmitted by dairy products. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of bovine milk at various stages of the production chain in a dairy cooperative and its suppliers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Additionally, the presence of STEC in milk and faeces from dairy cattle was investigated, along with the isolation of STEC O157:H7 strains and the evaluation of virulence genes and clonal diversity. These findings were compared with previously isolated STEC O157:H7 strains from the same region. A total of 100 raw milk samples (54 farm gallon (FG) samples, 25 community bulk tank milk (CBTM) samples, 14 isothermal car-tanker milk (ICTM) samples, and 7 industry tank milk (ITM) samples) and 10 pasteurized milk samples, along with 63 bovine faeces samples, were analysed. The stx gene, a marker for STEC, was detected in 65% of raw milk samples and 88.9% of faecal samples, indicating a high risk of contamination throughout the production chain. None of the pasteurized milk samples tested positive for the stx gene. The prevalence of stx in faeces and raw milk underscores the need for rigorous controls to prevent contamination. While pasteurization was effective, the microbiological quality of raw milk remained unsatisfactory, highlighting the importance of good hygiene practices and continuous monitoring to ensure dairy safety.

Heavy Metal Nanoparticle Detection in Human and Formula Milk.

Breast milk is the natural source of nutrition for infants, but while it supports their health, it can also be a potential source of toxic inorganic particulate matter, and this applies to both breast milk and industrially produced milk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of nanoparticles in both breast milk and formula milk samples. We collected and analyzed, via a new electron scanning microscopic procedure, 19 samples of breast milk from Italian women and 19 formula milk samples produced by different companies. Organic-inorganic agglomerates were detected in 58% of formula and in 63% of breast milk samples, respectively. In addition, a significantly (p < 0.05) greater size of nanoparticles was observed in formula milk samples. The results, showing the presence of inorganic nanosized particles in breast and artificial milk, may lead to future studies aimed at investigating possible nanosized contamination of milk and identifying early prevention strategies for women and animals involved in the food chain.

Dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in cow milk in the districts of Bryansk region

The publication continues the series of research addressed to the dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in agricultural products after the Chernobyl accident. The purpose of the present paper was to analyze the data describing the changes of 137Cs concentrations in cow milk. The information on countermeasures in animal breeding is presented, the system of radiological monitoring of milk contamination is described. It is shown that the dynamics of 137Cs concentrations in milk was seriously affected by the implementation of agrotechnical and veterinary measures. Effective half-lives of 137Cs concentrations in milk in the first period after the accident (1987-1992) ranged from 1 to 2.0 years. In the subsequent period (1991-2015), the reduction of milk contamination slowed down and the half-lives ranged from 5 to 25 years depending on the scope of remediation works and 137Cs aging in the soil.

Assessment of the Present Status of Milk Handling and Management Practices in Some Areas of Bangladesh

Milk contamination by dairy workers' spoiled hands, unclean utensils, microbes, and polluted water has caused many milk-borne epidemics. Most milk-borne zoonoses are also contracted by drinking infected milk. Bangladesh lacks milking hygiene and farmer awareness, and the milk cleanliness of dairy farmers awareness and practices in different regions was accessed. This study was aimed at documenting the present milking and management practices of dairy producers in particular districts of Bangladesh. From June 2020 to June 2022, 300 small dairy cow owners in twelve areas were surveyed using a preset questionnaire. Results revealed that male respondents (59.5%) outnumbered female respondents (41.33%) across various age categories. Most farmers milked animals at the shed and washed their hands before milking. Over half of dairy farmers cleansed the udder and teat before milking. More than two-thirds of farmers let the calf suckle before and after milking, while 98.02 percent used concentrate feed for teat massage. Most farmers (95.58%) manually milked cows twice daily. The majority of farmers sold their milk (77.25%) rather than drink it (10.17%). The study found that 93.92 percent of milkmen cleaned the milking pail using water, while 3.5-2.5 percent utilized sand, ash, or detergent. Only 53.66% of dairy farmers washed their cows' udders and teats after milking, which may not be aware of potential contamination from dipping teats in sterile cream. Mastitis prevention was not practiced by 85.42 percent of the respondents. Four to eight percent of producers know about antibiotics, milk adulteration, milk safety, and food safety issues. The application of scientific management approaches to milking is still lacking in the study areas. Therefore, training programs on improved milking management procedures can help farmers produce clean milk, increase dairy animal production, and increase farming income.

Staphylococcus aureus in Dairy Industry: Enterotoxin Production, Biofilm Formation, and Use of Lactic Acid Bacteria for Its Biocontrol.

Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known pathogen capable of producing enterotoxins during bacterial growth in contaminated food, and the ingestion of such preformed toxins is one of the major causes of food poisoning around the world. Nowadays 33 staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) and SE-like toxins have been described, but nearly 95% of confirmed foodborne outbreaks are attributed to classical enterotoxins SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE. The natural habitat of S. aureus includes the skin and mucous membranes of both humans and animals, allowing the contamination of milk, its derivatives, and the processing facilities. S. aureus is well known for the ability to form biofilms in food processing environments, which contributes to its persistence and cross-contamination in food. The biocontrol of S. aureus in foods by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their bacteriocins has been studied for many years. Recently, LAB and their metabolites have also been explored for controlling S. aureus biofilms. LAB are used in fermented foods since in ancient times and nowadays characterized strains (or their purified bacteriocin) can be intentionally added to prolong food shelf-life and to control the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Regarding the use of these microorganism and their metabolites (such as organic acids and bacteriocins) to prevent biofilm development or for biofilm removal, it is possible to conclude that a complex network behind the antagonistic activity remains poorly understood at the molecular level. The use of approaches that allow the characterization of these interactions is necessary to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that govern the inhibitory activity of LAB against S. aureus biofilms in food processing environments.

Associated of E. coli intestinal bacteria with contamination of milk and its products in the city of Hilla, Iraq

Associated of E. coli intestinal bacteria with contamination of milk and its products in the city of Hilla, Iraq

The First Pseudomonas Phage vB_PseuGesM_254 Active against Proteolytic Pseudomonas gessardii Strains

Bacteria of the Pseudomonas genus, including the Pseudomonas gessardii subgroup, play an important role in the environmental microbial communities. Psychrotolerant isolates of P. gessardii can produce thermostable proteases and lipases. When contaminating refrigerated raw milk, these bacteria spoil it by producing enzymes resistant to pasteurization. One possible way to prevent spoilage of raw milk is to use Pseudomonas lytic phages specific to undesirable P. gessardii isolates. The first phage, Pseudomonas vB_PseuGesM_254, was isolated and characterized, which is active against several proteolytic P. gessardii strains. This lytic myophage can infect and lyse its host strain at 24 °C and at low temperature (8 °C); so, it has the potential to prevent contamination of raw milk. The vB_PseuGesM_254 genome, 95,072 bp, shows a low level of intergenomic similarity with the genomes of known phages. Comparative proteomic ViPTree analysis indicated that vB_PseuGesM_254 is associated with a large group of Pseudomonas phages that are members of the Skurskavirinae and Gorskivirinae subfamilies and the Nankokuvirus genus. The alignment constructed using ViPTree shows that the vB_PseuGesM_254 genome has a large inversion between ~53,100 and ~70,700 bp, which is possibly a distinctive feature of a new taxonomic unit within this large group of Pseudomonas phages.

Watermelon Derived Urease Immobilized Gold Nanoparticles-Graphene Oxide Transducer for Direct Detection of Urea in Milk Samples.

Urea contamination in milk poses significant health risks, including kidney failure, urinary tract obstruction, fluid loss, shock, and gastrointestinal bleeding. This highlights the need for sensitive, rapid, and reliable methods to detect traces amount of urea in milk. In this study, we designed an electrochemical transducer for urea detection by utilizing purified watermelon urease (Urs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and graphene oxide (GO). The nanomaterials and biosensor probe were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, XPS, TEM, XRD, FTIR, AFM, CV, EIS, and DPV. The engineered probe (GCE/AuNPs/GO/Urs) demonstrated a broad linear detection range of 5 to 90 mg/dL and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.037 (±0.012) mg/dL (RSD < 3.7%). The biosensor was tested for potential interferents that may be present in adulterated milk and an exceptionally low coefficient of selectivity (ksel <0.1) was obtained. Evaluation of milk samples from a local dairy farm showed good recovery rates from 93.13% to. 98.79% (RSD < 4.28%, n = 3), indicating reliable detection capabilities. Stability tests confirmed the sensor's reproducibility and consistent performance. Additionally, a comparison study of the system was carried out using the purified watermelon urease and the commercially available urease. Herein, the results obtained using the sensor probe was finally validated with the gold standard method.

High arsenic contamination in the breast milk of mothers inhabiting the Gangetic plains of Bihar: a major health risk to infants

Groundwater arsenic poisoning has posed serious health hazards in the exposed population. The objective of the study is to evaluate the arsenic ingestion from breastmilk among pediatric population in Bihar. In the present study, the total women selected were n = 513. Out of which n = 378 women after consent provided their breastmilk for the study, n = 58 subjects were non-lactating but had some type of disease in them and n = 77 subjects denied for the breastmilk sample. Hence, they were selected for the women health study. In addition, urine samples from n = 184 infants’ urine were collected for human arsenic exposure study. The study reveals that the arsenic content in the exposed women (in 55%) was significantly high in the breast milk against the WHO permissible limit 0.64 µg/L followed by their urine and blood samples as biological marker. Moreover, the child’s urine also had arsenic content greater than the permissible limit (< 50 µg/L) in 67% of the studied children from the arsenic exposed regions. Concerningly, the rate at which arsenic is eliminated from an infant’s body via urine in real time was only 50%. This arsenic exposure to young infants has caused potential risks and future health implications. Moreover, the arsenic content was also very high in the analyzed staple food samples such as rice, wheat and potato which is the major cause for arsenic contamination in breastmilk. The study advocates for prompt action to address the issue and implement stringent legislative measures in order to mitigate and eradicate this pressing problem that has implications for future generations.

CRISPR/Cas12a-Triggered Visible-Light-Driven Photoelectrochemical Assay with Single-Nucleotide Resolution for Drug-Resistant Foodborne Salmonella Detection.

The prevalence of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, especially drug-resistant strains, such as Salmonella enterica, poses serious threats to public health, highlighting the requirement for the development of rapid and precise detection methods. Herein, a CRISPR/Cas12a-triggered visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) assay (CasPEC) was developed using a SiO2-quenched BiVO4/MoS2 p/n-type heterojunction as the photoactive material. The CRISPR/Cas12a recognition endowed the CasPEC assay with high specificity capable of resolving single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and identifying SNP-involved drug-resistant bacteria. SiO2 was linked to the surface of the BiVO4/MoS2 heterojunction by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), which would be cleaved by target-activated CRISPR/Cas12a. This cleavage of ssDNA resulted in the detachment of SiO2, thereby achieving a "signal-on" PEC output. Leveraging the multiple-turnover CRISPR cleavage and the outstanding photoactive performance of PEC signaling, the CasPEC assay for S. enterica showed a detection limit of 103 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL and the ability to detect as few as 0.01% drug-resistant strains. The CasPEC assay can accurately sense the S. enterica contamination in complex food matrices, including beef and milk. These findings demonstrated the great potential of the CasPEC assay for detecting pathogenic bacterial contamination in food, particularly concerning food safety related to SNP-involved drug-resistant bacteria.

Evolution of bacterial flora in raw yak milk and its effect on quality characteristics during frozen storage

Due to the scarcity of yak milk in Tibetan areas, local herders primarily use traditional freezing methods for preservation. However, the extent of microbial contamination in raw yak milk during frozen storage and its impact on milk quality remains largely unexplored. This study analyzed the changes in bacterial populations and quality of raw yak milk stored at −18 °C for 6 months. The results indicated that, compared to fresh milk, the freshness of yak milk showed no significant change after 2 months of frozen storage (P > 0.05). After 4 months, the bacterial diversity of flora in yak milk increased significantly, with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter emerging as the dominant psychrophilic bacteria. Correspondingly, the expression of metabolic pathways related to quality deterioration increased, with a significant increase in physicochemical indicators such as acidity, proteolysis degree, acid value and fat oxidation degree (P < 0.05). Extending the frozen storage to 6 months resulted in a slight but no significant decrease in bacterial diversity, with no significant difference in quality deterioration compared to the 4-month group (P > 0.05). Correlation analysis further revealed that Acinetobacter and Psychrobacter were significantly positively correlated with quality deterioration of frozen milk (P < 0.05). In summary, when frozen for more than 4 months, raw yak milk exhibited the highest bacterial diversity and predicted the most abundant metabolic pathways, with dominant psychrophilic bacteria massive proliferation leading to a decline in quality and safety.

Микробиологические риски как причина пороков внешнего вида сыра

Aerobic Bacillus bacteria, yeasts, and micrococci are pigment-forming microorganisms responsible for color defects in cheese production. The article describes their environment, industry-related characteristics, types of defects they cause, and various color violations in commercial cheeses. The research featured domestic cheeses with yellow and red surface spots that appeared during industrial ripening and storage. Pigment-forming microorganisms developed on cheese surface at a low ripening temperature, high concentration of table salt, and critically low oxygen. Pigment-forming microflora proved to enter cheese from milk, brine, or production environment, e.g., water, air, and processing equipment, dry and succulent feeds being the main source of milk contamination with spore-forming aerobic bacteria, yeast, mold fungi, etc. Contamination of raw milk, milking equipment, and air environment with micrococci was primarily associated with cows’ udder and skin. Cheese production presupposes low-temperature heat treatment of raw milk, which means possible residual microflora in pasteurized milk. As a result, the total count of mesophilic aerobic and optionally anaerobic microorganisms, i.e., the potential pigment formers, was to stay below 104 CFU/cm3. Yeast and spore-forming Bacillus microorganisms demonstrated the acceptable level of ≤102 CFU/cm3 in milk intended for cheesemaking. If their total count exceeded 103 CFU/cm3, it indicated high microbiological risks of cheese appearance defects. The microflora responsible for discoloration of cheese surface was represented by yeast, micrococci, aerobic spores, or their combinations.

Biological and genomic characterization of a polyvalent phage PSH-1 against multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis

BackgroundBacteriophage has been renewed attention as a new antibacterial agent due to the limitations of antibiotic treatment. Bacteriophages are generally thought to be highly host specific and even strain specific, but a small number of polyvalent bacteriophages have been found to infect bacteria of different genera.ResultsIn this study, a virulent lytic bacteriophage (named Salmonella phage PSH-1) of Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated from the sewage samples of a large-scale pig farm, PSH-1 demonstrated lytic activity against four multidrug-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolates and Escherichia coli, and then its biological characteristics, genome and bacteriostatic ability were investigated. The results showed that the initial titer of PSH-1 was 1.15 × 1010 PFU/mL and the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 0.01, PSH-1 has stable activity in the range of pH 3.0–11.0. One-step growth curve showed that its latent period was 20 min, burst time was 80 min, and the burst was 495 particles. The whole-genome sequencing results revealed phage PSH-1 had a linear dsDNA with 48,466 bp length. The G/C content was 45.33%. Non-coding RNA genes and virulence factors were not found. Eighty- five open reading frames (ORFs) were identified after online annotation. By tests, the use of phage could succeed in controlling the artificial Salmonella contamination in milk at a range of temperatures.ConclusionsThis study reports a novel Salmonella Enteritidis phage PSH-1, which has a robust lytic ability, no virulence factors, and good stability. The characterization and genomic analysis of PSH-1 will develop our understanding of phage biology and diversity and provide a potential arsenal for controlling of salmonellosis.

Epidemiology, Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Small Brazilian Farms Producers of Raw Milk Fresh Cheese.

This study aimed to identify contamination sources in raw milk and cheese on small farms in Brazil by isolating Escherichia coli at various stages of milk production and cheese manufacturing. The study targeted EAEC, EIEC, ETEC, EPEC, STEC, and ExPEC pathotypes, characterizing isolates for the presence of virulence genes, phylogroups, antimicrobial susceptibility, and phylogenetic relationships using PFGE and MLST. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes and serogroups was also determined. Three categories of E. coli were identified: pathogenic, commensal, and ceftriaxone-resistant (ESBL) strains. Pathogenic EPEC, STEC, and ExPEC isolates were detected in milk and cheese samples. Most isolates belonged to phylogroups A and B1 and were resistant to antimicrobials such as nalidixic acid, ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline. Genetic analysis revealed that E. coli with identical virulence genes were present at different stages within the same farm. The most frequently identified serogroup was O18, and MLST identified ST131 associated with pathogenic isolates. The study concluded that E. coli was present at multiple points in milk collection and cheese production, with significant phylogroups and high antimicrobial resistance. These findings highlight the public health risk posed by contamination in raw milk and fresh cheese, emphasizing the need to adopt hygienic practices to control these microorganisms.

Ultrasensitive detection of contaminants in milk using a novel NMS-Ag modified water-resistant paper substrate

Rapid and precise detection of harmful substances in food products is essential for ensuring public health and safety. This study introduces a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate, composed of a molybdenum disulfide‑silver nanocomposite, applied to flexible, water-resistant filter paper for detecting melamine and bisphenol A (BPA) in milk. Optimized molybdenum disulfide (NMS) nanoflowers (NFs) were synthesized through hydrothermal methods and high-temperature annealing, then modified with silver (Ag) nanoparticles to form the NMS-Ag nanocomposite (NMSA6). This substrate greatly enhances the Raman signal, achieving an enhancement factor of approximately 1.49 × 107 and a detection limit as low as 10−11 M for simultaneous multi-component analysis. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations confirm the enhancement mechanism. The NMSA6 substrate demonstrates remarkably low detection limits for BPA and melamine, facilitating the analysis of various hazardous substances. These findings highlight the substrate's potential for highly sensitive, label-free detection, presenting a viable tool for food safety monitoring.