Guidelines for Detecting the Foodborne Antibiotic‐Resistant Bacteria

ABSTRACT

Foodborne antibiotic‐resistant bacteria threaten global public health and the economic. Standardized detection methods are crucial for effective prevention and control. Researchers encounter difficulties in choosing suitable techniques due to the variety of available approaches and the intricate nature of resistance mechanisms. To address it, this guideline comprehensively details detection methods for foodborne resistant bacteria. It covers essential procedures including sample collection adhering to International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, pre‐treatment method like enrichment and homogenization, and core detection techniques. Specific protocols address diverse food matrices. Traditional phenotypic techniques such as disk diffusion and dilution assays determine resistance by measuring inhibition zones or minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Molecular techniques including PCR, qPCR, and RPA enable specific resistance gene detection, with qPCR providing quantification and RPA supporting rapid on‐site use. Immunological techniques such as ELISA and lateral flow immunoassay leverage antigen‐antibody binding for simple field screening. The guideline advocates for the combined use of traditional and emerging technologies to balance accuracy, speed, and cost‐effectiveness, supporting researchers in method selection and experimental design, and ultimately aiding global cross‐sectoral efforts against antimicrobial resistance.