Streamlining Virus Detection in Food: A Safer Future

Detecting foodborne viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A before they cause outbreaks is a complex challenge, says UMass Amherst food scientist Matthew Moore. Even small amounts of contamination can make people sick, but current detection methods are slow and inefficient. With a $650,000 USDA grant, Moore and collaborators from Iowa State University are developing innovative solutions using magnetic liquids—magnetic ionic liquids(MILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). These substances show promise for concentrating and detecting viruses in food and environmental samples. The project builds on foundational research by UMass doctoral student Sloane Stoufer and graduate student Lily Saad, whose work demonstrated the potential of MILs and DESs for viral detection. Unlike traditional methods, which involve multiple, time-consuming steps, this approach aims to streamline the process into a portable, single-tube system.