QualiMeat

Fast evaluating of the meat freshness products, with high sensitive laser spectral device
QualiMeat – PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0509 ( ctr 113/2012

Qualimeat Reports

The concept of this project is to achieve an instrument capable of determining the level of freshness of different types of meat (from fresh to mincemeat) by identifying the species (Pseudomonas, Staphilococcus aureus, Salmonella ssp., E.coli and Proteus vulgaris) that con-taminate the food products. The instrument will have a detection limit well defined by the CE regulation 2073/2005 of the European Committee.

The instrument will operate based on crosslinked techniques: chemiluminescence – fluores-cence, bioluminescence specific to every species of contaminant microorgansims food con-tamination (direct method) or by indirect method using appropriate fluorofor markers such as functionalized quantum dots ( aiming to gain a new knowledge about microorganism behaviour related to food contamination).This device will have applicability in the food industry on the technological route helping operators to evaluate the product quality before placing them on the market. In addition, food safety authorities could detect food contamination more quickly and efficiently with the identification of pathogens and not least consumers can have an easy evaluation of food. The proposal project has borne direct from cumulative experience between industry and academia as results of cooperation in National projects: ( TERACAP- Spectra system test port fast food quality PNII 2008-2011, 72183, SIGALID – Food safety: the identification of genetically modified organisms and plant proteins PNII 2007-2010, 51-051) which gave the foundation to design a new spectral device combining advanced tools from molecular biology, microbiology, optics technologies and nanotechnologies related to the chromogenic materials.

General objective

Development of equipment able to fast evaluate of the meat freshness products, using  spectral devices based on  excitation with various light sources

Specific objectives

  1. Isolates and identification of Pseudomonas Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella spp , E. coli and Proteus vulgaris from aerobically minced meat (pork with beef ) and fresh sausages. The identification of strains from the foodborn pathogens. Identification the metabolism by-products resulted under the action of bacteria activities in food products.
  2. Development of  various modules with  high sensitivity with light excitation to assess the meat freshness- responsive chromogenic markers

The proposed objectives and activities associated in workplan will resolve the main draw-backs: Any customer wants to know how fresh is the meat when buys. There are specialized agencies for quality food control, veterinary laboratories along of food chain control. All are tributary to real time analysis. For each type of meat need minimum 5-10 days to have a complete analysis when deal with foodborne pathogens. Actual analysis are underpining by microscopy analysis, coloration, incubation, culture examination (to name few), where high costly equipments are necessary.

Consortium

Project Coordinator- University of Bucharest (UB) , 3Nano-SAE Res Centre/ Faculty of Physics / Faculty of Biology .

Partner – S.C. Optoelectronica – 2001 SA is a Romanian owned stock company founded in the year 2000.The main activity is in the field of research, technological development and innovation in optoelectronic devices for civil and special applications. The company is certified ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2005, RENAR certified laboratories for optical and laser radiation testing (SR EN ISO CEI 17025:2005).

Web: http://www.optoel.ro/

Phases

Phase 1 – Pseudomonas: Identification, detection, Experimental Module 1
Duration: 2012

Phase 2 – Staphylococcus aureus: Identification, detection, Experimental Module 2
Duration: 2013

Phase 3 – Salmonella spp: Identification, detection, Experimental Module 3
Duration: 2014

Phase 4 – E. coli: Identification, detection, Experimental Module 4
Duration: 2015

Phase 5 – Proteus vulgaris: Identification, detection, Experimental Module 5
Duration: 2016

Phase 6 – Prototype: Integration modules 1,2,3,4,5
Duration: 2016