E-Nose could sniff out the early signs of food spoilage

Portable electronic 'noses' being trialled in UK hospitals to detect tell-tale bacteria on patients' breath could find their way on to food production lines.

According to Naresh Magan, professor of applied mycology at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, the sniffers could dramatically reduce the costs and delays associated with lab testing for organisms that trigger mould spoilage.

"It's real-time analysis and within five minutes you can tell whether it's OK or not," he said. "Currently, people take a sample and do serial microbial analysis. Bacteria takes 48 to 72 hours and mould takes five days."

But E-Nose could be used online with data downloaded to a central processing facility for almost instant results. "Traceability would be much better and you don't need hi-tech staff all over the place," said Magan.

At £20,000, the existing detectors are way beyond most manufacturers' budgets. "In a recent European survey, they said they wouldn't be prepared to spend more than 310,000 per instrument," said Magan.

However, he said that smaller, less sophisticated snouts carrying just one or two sensors programmed to detect a limited number of bio-markers for bacteria that cause spoilage, could be no more than £5,000 to £7,500, adding, "it's cheaper if you know what you're looking for." But so far, no food or drink manufacturers had shown an interest in the gadget.

The technology is also being tested to spot a build-up of resistance to preservatives.

"If bugs grow tolerant, they produce volatiles and you can see if there's a change," said Magan.

Cranfield University has been working on the E-Nose project since 2001, when the EU funded the first research into the use of electronic noses to improve quality assurance in bread, cakes and cheese.