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FLEXIBLE MID-INFRARED PHOTONIC SOLUTIONS FOR RAPID FARM-TO-FORK SENSING OF FOOD CONTAMINANTS

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Developing an infrared-based solution for very precise food monitoring

The food chain is one of the cornerstones of modern civilisation. Ensuring a healthy, reliable food supply requires highly accurate detection of chemical and microbial contaminants. Existing detection methods are often costly and require specialised personnel to carry them out. The EU-funded PHOTONFOOD project aims to overcome these obstacles by combining innovations in paper-based sample treatment, mid-infrared sensing and data analysis for on-site detection of chemical and microbial contaminants. These innovations will be used to develop a cutting-edge, portable, high-fidelity, infrared-based solution to be used throughout the food industry for daily monitoring. The goal is to significantly improve food quality while reducing waste throughout the European food industry.

Objective

Analytical techniques for the measurements of chemical and microbial contaminations along the food chain require detection levels in the ppb range. A direct measurement of contaminants at theses concentrations in a food matrix is not possible by any photonics principle. PHOTONFOOD aims to overcome this barrier by developing an integrated solution that combines innovations in smart paper-based sample treatment, mid-infrared (MIR) sensing and advanced data analysis. Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy has proven to be the most reliable and broadly applicable spectroscopic method for detection, characterization and quantification of chemical and microbial contamination. To transform MIR sensing from existing lab solutions into a portable solution to broad usage in the food chain, PHTONFOOD aims to develop novel infrared light sources, specifically interband cascade light emitting diode (IC-LED), and interband and quantum cascade lasers (ICL/QCL). The light sources will be combined with sophisticated waveguide technology and 3D-paper microfluidics. The project will develop a solution consisting of: (1) A mid-fidelity (MI-FI) device with an envisioned low-price range that can be used for daily monitoring, and (2) a medium-price range high-fidelity (HI-FI) device for reference analysis and accreditation. The solution will be validated and demonstrated in real scenarios for fungal and water mould (oomycetes) contamination, mycotoxins in wheat, nuts, dried fruits and aquaponic-based herbs, as well as pesticides and antibiotics in aquaponic-based herbs. The research will be performed by a multidisciplinary and highly acknowledged research team in collaboration with leading mycotoxin analysis laboratories, an aquaponics farm, a distributor of dry foods and farms with on-site food processing and vending. Strategies for transferring the obtained data and integrating it into data platforms for tracing food contamination, improving food quality and reducing waste will be developed.

Fields of science

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

H2020-ICT-2018-20

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Sub call

H2020-ICT-2020-2

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

NORGES MILJO-OG BIOVITENSKAPLIGE UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution
€ 1 126 500,00
Address
Universitetstunet 3
1433 As
Norway

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Region
Norge Oslo og Viken Viken
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (12)

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Last update: 19 December 2022

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101016444

European Union, 2023