Advances in detection technologies are essential for creating a safer and more transparent food system. Recently, digital PCR has arisen as a newsworthy alternative to real-time PCR for plant species detection in processed and complex foods. Thus, we conducted two case studies: The detection of sesame (Sesamum indicum) as an allergenic food and the identification and quantification of bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) in plant food supplements for botanical authentication purposes. In a commercial set of samples, nanoplate digital PCR (ndPCR) approaches exhibited optimal sensitivity, acceptable performance parameters and robustness. The present work demonstrates the applicability of ndPCR for the detection of allergenic food ingredients and botanical species in complex and processed matrices for the first time, emphasizing this technique as a novel sensitive and specific tool to verify labeling compliance. Here, I present our methods and results. 

Plant health is strongly influenced by microorganisms living within and near plant tissues. In agroecosystems, crops dynamically experience a diverse array of biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, diseases, parasitic weeds) causing negative impacts on crop performance and productivity. In this lecture, I will review the complexity of soil and plant-associated microbiomes and explore innovative strategies to manipulate and activate beneficial microbial taxa and functions at the plant-soil interface. A focus will be given to recent research findings that illustrate the role of plant-protective microbiomes in controlling soil-borne diseases and suppressing the germination of one of the most important parasitic weeds Striga impacting the livelihood of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. I will end this lecture by providing a new perspective on strategies to effectively engineer agricultural microbiomes and harness microbial functions to promote sustainability and crop security with implications across diverse agroecosystems.

Plant health is strongly influenced by microorganisms living within and near plant tissues. In agroecosystems, crops dynamically experience a diverse array of biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, diseases, parasitic weeds) causing negative impacts on crop performance and productivity. In this lecture, I will review the complexity of soil and plant-associated microbiomes and explore innovative strategies to manipulate and activate beneficial microbial taxa and functions at the plant-soil interface. A focus will be given to recent research findings that illustrate the role of plant-protective microbiomes in controlling soil-borne diseases and suppressing the germination of one of the most important parasitic weeds Striga impacting the livelihood of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. I will end this lecture by providing a new perspective on strategies to effectively engineer agricultural microbiomes and harness microbial functions to promote sustainability and crop security with implications across diverse agroecosystems.

Advances in detection technologies are essential for creating a safer and more transparent food system. Recently, digital PCR has arisen as a newsworthy alternative to real-time PCR for plant species detection in processed and complex foods. Thus, we conducted two case studies: The detection of sesame (Sesamum indicum) as an allergenic food and the identification and quantification of bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) in plant food supplements for botanical authentication purposes. In a commercial set of samples, nanoplate digital PCR (ndPCR) approaches exhibited optimal sensitivity, acceptable performance parameters and robustness. The present work demonstrates the applicability of ndPCR for the detection of allergenic food ingredients and botanical species in complex and processed matrices for the first time, emphasizing this technique as a novel sensitive and specific tool to verify labeling compliance. Here, I present our methods and results.