Determination of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Raw and Pasteurized Milk Using a Piezoelectric Gas Sensor Array

The importance of assessing the microbiological safety of food products is beyond doubt, which is also true for milk and dairy products. The goal of this work was to evaluate the changes in the composition of the gas phase in milk based on signals from chemical sensors to predict the quantity of the bacteria in the milk samples. The gas phase in raw milk samples and samples during pasteurization, as well as for a standard (a model aqua solution of macronutrients and minerals), was studied using an array of sensors with polycomposite coatings, including those contaminated with <i>E. coli</i> bacteria. Assessment of microbiological indicators was carried out according to GOST in parallel with the gas-phase analysis. The applicability of the results obtained on model systems was assessed using milk samples, including those containing other types of pathogenic microorganisms <i>(Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Klebsiella</i> spp., etc.). It was found that the obtained models can be used to assess the presence and quantity of <i>E. coli</i> in milk at the pasteurization stage.