Abstract: Establishing a new fast and efficient detection method and strategy for foodborne pathogens is critical to control the outbreak of foodborne diseases. Sample preparation is a crucial step in the quick screening of pathogens. Conventional techniques for the detection of foodborne pathogens usually require pre-enrichment and selective separation for increased concentrations of the target bacteria, which are time-consuming and have low sensitivity. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) is capable of separating and concentrating the target pathogens from complex food samples in a short period of time, which has been applied to the detection of various foodborne pathogens. This article reviews the application of IMS in the detection of foodborne pathogens. Meanwhile, it mainly focuses on the principle of IMS and the factors influencing the efficiency of IMS, as well as the latest progress in its combined application with other detection technologies in rapid detection of foodborne pathogens. This review aims at providing theoretical support for deeper applications of IMS and the development of rapid food safety detection technologies in China.

Key words: immunomagnetic separation, immunomagnetic separation efficiency, foodborne pathogens, sample preparation, rapid detection, food safety