Project - Analysis Platform for fast on-site Detection of Microorganisms

The project is completed.

Project start March 2007. Expected completion August 2009. 

The project is supported by the Danish Food Industry Agency under the Innovation Law.

Process control and quality assurance in the food industry are dependent on microbiological analysis, but many of these analyses are based on slow methods, and it often takes several days to get results. Rapid detection of microorganisms can save time and storage space for companies.

The project is developing a new ”analysis platform”, or measuring principle, for rapid quantification of bacteria. The analysis platform combines DNA-based identification of microorganisms and sensitive detection with newly developed optical or electrochemical methods. The platform will yield rapid analysis results, and because it is easy to handle, will be suitable for on-site detection. In this way, the method will be a fundamental step towards achieving greater food security and intelligent process control.

Project Objectives

• Develop a new and simple measuring principle, which is suitable for automation.
• Utilise pre-existing DNA-based methods for rapid detection of spoilage bacteria in beer, for example Lactobacillus brevis.

Participants

• Centre for DNA Nanotechnology, University of Aarhus
• Royal Unibrew
• Chemometec  

Activities

• A DNA-based method for identifying isolates of spoilage bacteria has been developed. The method is far more accurate than existing methods, which are based on phenotypes.
• A rapid DNA-based method (quantitative PCR) has been developed for quantification of the common spoilage bacterium, Lactobacillus brevis
• Proof-of-concept for the new platform for measuring DNA via hybridisation and electrochemical detection.