Keletso Eunice Ipeleng, Usisipho Feleni, Valentine Saasa
Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella species and Listeria monocytogenes are leading causes of foodborne illness outbreaks worldwide, posing significant public health and economic challenges. For years, culture-based methods and culture-independent methods have been widely used for pathogen detection; however, their limitations have become increasingly apparent, i.e., longer turnaround times, and they have lower specificity and selectivity. Recent innovations in molecular, immunological, spectroscopic, and biosensing technologies offer promising alternatives for rapid, sensitive, and on-site detection of these pathogens. In this review paper, we provide an overview of the conventional and emerging detection technologies for Salmonella species and Listeria monocytogenes in food matrices, and their limitations. Emphasis is placed on electrochemical biosensors for L. mono and Salmonella detection and their integration in food testing and monitoring. Finally, we conclude and discuss the future perspectives of electrochemical biosensors.