The novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification based confirmation methodology on the bacteria in Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) state.

As a self-protection mechanism, the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state provides the ability against conventional detection methods among various foodborne pathogens. The ability of forming colonies is lost while metabolism is still maintaining in VBNC state cells. Recently, ethidium monoazide (EMA) and propidium monoazide (PMA) have been widely applied on the detection of foodborne pathogens in VBNC state. Combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), the PMA/EMA-LAMP showed a significant priority in high sensitivity, specificity and rapidity over conventional PCR based assays. Particularly, PMA/EMA-LAMP has been proved as an effective method in the detection of Escherichia coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Staphylococcus in VBNC state. Based on the current investigations, the VBNC mechanism and current detection method for VBNC-state foodborne pathogens were introduced and discussed in this review.