![[NF-2000 Database - AIR Program]](../images/Air.gif) |
AIR2-CT94-1416
Developing Analytical Methods from Fluorescence Spectra and Video Images with Relevance to Food and Non-Food Agro-Industrial Engineering Using New Computer Based Evaluation Techniques (AFFLUENCE) |
 |
Contract No | AIR2-CT94-1416 |
| Total Cost | 1 786 811 ECU | |
| EC Contribution | 1 257 766 ECU | |
| Start Date | 01/07/1994 | |
| Duration | 48 months |
SUMMARY
This project aims to develop reliable, rapid and cheap screening methods for quality control and environmental protection in each production step within a number of agro-industrial activities. The work focuses on systems using fluorescence to detect signals which are associated with specific chemical compounds. These can then be used to characterise materials using spectrofluorimetry and/or video image analysis combing specific chemical information with structural and physical properties. Fluorescence can be up to 1000 times more sensitive than other spectroscopic methods. Applications in this area depend on the combination of appropriate hardware with computer software to solve aspects of the fluorescence phenomenon including characterisation of spectra, image recording, calibration and evaluation. This approach is applied to the development of hardware and software for non destructive fluorescence testing using advanced computer techniques for both reflectance and transmission spectroscopy together with innovative video imaging with the aim to establish on-line industrial quality control methods for both food and non-food applications. The latter includes looking at plant fibres (e.g. pulping) and cereals (e.g. oilseeds and wheat) lignin composition (fibre), tissue composition (cereals) and contamination and damage (seeds). In cooperation with the instrument industry, spectrofluorimetric and video sensors will be designed on the basis of the research and their markets investigated.
OBJECTIVE
In agro-industrial production systems, where efficiency has so far been considered mostly in financial terms, there is presently a growing need for reliable, rapid and cheap screening methods for quality control and environmental protection in each production step. The fluorescence phenomenon is unique because of its specificity (e.g. in detecting NADH, Shiffs bases, lignin and mycotoxins) which can be exploited both by spectrofluorimetry and by video image analysis combing specific chemical information with structural/physical. Fluorescence is up to 1000 times more sensitive than other spectroscopic methods.
The emergence of new methods in this area depends on the development of appropriate hardware and software to solve a series of problems related to the physical/chemical aspects of the fluorescence phenomenon in relation to spectra and image recording, calibration and evaluation.
In this project, the development of hardware/software for non-destructive fluorescence techniques will be based on the one hand on application of advanced computer techniques to reflectance and transmission spectroscopy and on the other hand on innovative video imaging with the aim to establish on line industrial quality control methods (task A): These techniques are applied in three major industrial areas (task B): Considering meat, fibres (e.g. pulping) and cereals (e.g. oilseeds and wheat) with regard to oxidation (meat), lignin composition (fibre), tissue composition (meat, cereals) and filth and damage (seeds). In cooperation with the instrument industry spectrofluorimetric and video sensors will be designed on the basis of the research and their markets investigated. The opportunities explored are tested in cooperation with the production industry.
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
© Copyright 2006 Policy Statements
Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
- biomatnet@biomatnet.org
 |
 |
 |
News |
 |
Events |
|
|