Use of semiconducting polymer sensors to detect bacterial cultures in medium and in irradiated ground beef

Abstract

The implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points and Pathogen Reduction systems as a preventative measure within food processing plants has instigated a need for rapid methods to detect the presence of possible pathogenic bacteria. Studies were undertaken to determine the feasibility of using an electronic nose to differentiate bacteria in a buffer solution and beef samples. The ability of the electronic nose was tested according to incubation time, all concentrations, moisture content of meat and microorganisms type. Pattern recognition techniques along with statistical methods were used in this determination. It was found that the possibility of distinguishing cultures from a control was evident. This was seen especially with testing cultures in meat. Variables such as culture growth changes, humidity and temperature variances played a part in the final analysis. The feasibility of an electronic nose as a rapid detection method within the meat processing industry is a valid idea that needs to be explored further.