Bioassay and Related Methods

After establishing the presence of pathogens or toxins in foods or food products, the next important concern is whether the organisms/toxins are biologically active. For this purpose, experimental animals are employed where feasible. When it is not feasible to use whole animals or animal systems, a variety of tissue culture systems have been developed that, by a variety of responses, provide information on the biological activity of pathogens or their toxic products. These bioassay and related tests are the methods of choice for some foodborne pathogens, and some of the principal ones are listed in Table 12–1.