LAUSR

Microfluidic technology is an emerging scientific area, aiming to provide inexpensive, sensitive and efficient devices which can, among other applications, may play a significant role in food monitoring. Microfluidic Paper-based analytical Devices (μPADs) have been proposed as potentially effective tools for safety and quality monitoring, in terms of microbial detection. Several μPADs have been developed using alternative fabrication methods, each one exhibiting different features, advantages and limitations. These devices have been tested for their applicability for the detection of foodborne pathogens in cultured cells, water or food matrices. Limited studies report the utilization of μPADs for quality monitoring of food, targeting microbial or chemical quality indexes. The aim of the article is to describe and discuss the most common types of μPADs for their effectiveness in microbial detection in food matrices and thus theirs applicability in the food industry sector as simple and cost effective tools for rapid safety and quality monitoring. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.