NIRs computer vision system for detecting Anisakis in fish industrial processing lines

Project Information

AnisakFree

Grant agreement ID: 826724

DOI

10.3030/826724

Project closed

EC signature date 12 July 2018

Start date 1 August 2018

End date 31 January 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

DESARROLLO DE SENSORES OPTICOS DESLOCALIZADOS SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AnisakFree (NIRs computer vision system for detecting Anisakis in fish industrial processing lines)

Reporting period: 2018-08-01 to 2019-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Infestation by Anisakis is a big issue worldwide. Anisakis are a kind of parasites found in marine animals that, when ingested by humans, it they reach the human digestive system, causes health problems. It is widely spread in fished worldwide, and it is currently present in 30% of the fish caught in Europe.
We´ve developed the first technology to based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology that coupled to a software can detect the presence of Anisakis in fish pieces (whole / slices / fillets), one by one in a timely, cheap and non-destructive way. The objective of ANISAKFREE phase 1 was to carry out a feasibly study to verify the technical and economic feasibility of our solution and evaluate following step. We concluded that the study indicates that the project has a very interesting business potential in a growing market.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Technical viability assessment:
We optimized the NIR detection system of AnisakFree, composed by spectrophotometers with different wavelength ranges: 350-1000/900-1700/1550-2500 nm, camera and software. We worked together with a technology validator in order to clarify the requirements from technical and usability standpoints. We designed a product allowing an easy market uptake by fish processors and retailers.

Commercial viability assessment:
We update the business plan based on: user’s segmentation, pricing strategy and market trends. We studied the market to weigh up the benefits and cons of each of the routes to follow (patent, utility model or trade secret). On this basis, we had elaborated the best IP protection strategy to maximise its commercial exploitation.
Financial viability assessment:
We work with experts to account and assign the required resources for scaling up AnisakFree till TRL9 by 2021. It is very importanat to be the first company offering a reliable system. A financial analysis of the proyect and it's scalability led us know to update and build an economic forecast for the first 5 years of commercialisation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The undertaken analysis indicates that the project has a very interesting business potential in a growing market; it will result in promising revenue growth; it will be technically feasible; and the company is prepared to carry it out.

PROTOTYPE