Detection of volatile indicator compounds for biological contamination and deterioration of food

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The overall objective of this project is to devise and develop a generic method that is sensitive and robust, for the identification of the volatile chemicals specifically produced by foods infested with insects or contaminated with micro-organisms. This knowledge may then be used to enable the routine monitoring of products by existing or currently developing chemical methods and the early detection of deterioration (i.e. before visible signs appear). Particular objectives will be:-1. The identification of volatile chemicals that are produced specifically by oranges containing eggs or larvae of the Mediterranean fruitfly (Ceratitis capitata) and also those produced specifically by raspberries infested with insects such as the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus). 2. A final objective will be to test and validate the use of a device such as the miniaturised GC-MS, tuned to the newly identified compounds, for the monitoring of these fruits in a commercial setting.

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