Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a new sequencing method invented at the beginning of the 21st century on the basis of first-generation sequencing technology. With its high throughput, high accuracy and abundant genetic data, NGS has been gradually applied to the dairy industry and has played an important role in ensuring the quality and safety of dairy products. On the one hand, this paper introduces the application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology to identify contaminated microorganisms, pathogen traceability, strain polymorphism, antibiotic resistance and virulence factor carrying status analysis. On the other hand, this paper focuses on the application of metagenomic sequencing technology in research on the application of microbial diversity, including microbial diversity investigation in the processing environment of dairy products, environmental microorganism monitoring of dairy factories, shelf-life assessment of dairy products, microbial risk monitoring of raw materials, and authenticity assessment of dairy products. Finally, this paper comprehensively analyzes and discusses the challenges and future prospects for the application of NGS technology in the field of dairy products.

Biochip serves as a novel microanalysis and high-throughput detection technique, and it has been gradually introduced in biological research, food, medicinal and agricultural fields. This paper summarizes the basic principle, classification and manufacturing process of biochip with special emphasis on its application in the field of food safety. Problems encountered in the development of biochip technology and future trends are also briefly described.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram positive bacterium that is carried by about one third of the general population and is responsible for common and serious diseases. These diseases include food poisoning and toxic shock syndrome, which are caused by exotoxins produced by S. aureus. Among the more than 20 staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), SEA and SEB are the best characterized and are also regarded as superantigens because of their ability to bind to class II MHC molecules on antigen presenting cells and stimulate large populations of T cells that share variable regions on the β chain of the T cell receptor. This article provides a detailed elaboration of the pathogenicity and underlying mechanism of SEs as well as the methods used to detect the exotoxins, which has a guiding significance for clinical treatment and food safety monitoring. Owing to the occurrence of multiple resistant strains of S. aureus, the health harm of S. aureus in food has become more and more serious, so we have to minimize the microbial load of this bacterium in food, and prevent cross contamination in food.

Cronobacter spp. was originally defined as yellow-pigmented Enterobacter cloacae until 1980 when it was designated Enterobacter sakazakii, is a Gram-negative opportunistic food-borne pathogen that can cause necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis and meningitis in neonates. Neonates and infants under two months of age are at greater risk of Cronobacter infections from consuming Cronobacter spp. contaminated powdered infant formula. In 2012, the genus was reclassified to contain seven different species. Rapid and accurate identification of Cronobacter strains is important for surveillance, prevention and control of this food-borne pathogen. Moreover, this review summarizes main methods for detection and identification of Cronobacter spp., which will be of great benefit to the testing organizations in China.