A researcher at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is working on using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect the deadly pathogen Salmonella before it ever enters the food supply.

Anas Alsobeh, assistant professor of information technology, recently received a $150,000 grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop an AI-based rapid detection method for finding Salmonella in onions. The system combines microscopic imaging with AI, which compares samples to a large-scale dataset containing images of bacterial microcolonies at early stages of growth.

The technology integrates convolutional neural networks that can automatically detect the presence of the bacteria. The grant also funds hands-on workshops to train stakeholders on using intelligent imaging in food inspection processes.

“While the project is still underway, we anticipate the optimized AI detection system will enable rapid, nondestructive Salmonella screening,” Alsobeh said. “Early validation of the technology showed promise in real-time microbial detection, with potential benefits for cost-effective, high-volume food safety applications across the industry.”

This innovative approach aligns with a growing optimism within the food safety community about the role of AI. Researchers at the University of California-Davis have also explored how AI can enhance food safety, demonstrating that techniques using AI and optical imaging can quickly and accurately identify harmful bacteria in food. Luyao Ma, a researcher involved in that study, emphas...