Rapid e-nose screening platform for mycotoxin detection
A bioinspired chemiresistive sensor array that detects VOC profiles for rapid on-site mycotoxin screening in corn products. It utilizes temporal dynamics to improve discrimination between similar fungal VOC profiles, offering a low-cost, high-throughput solution.
Overview
The rapid e-nose screening platform offers a breakthrough solution for detecting mycotoxins in corn and co-products by leveraging a bioinspired chemiresistive sensor array. This innovative platform captures the full dynamic response of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with mold activity, providing a chemical fingerprint that enhances the distinction between complex chemical mixtures. Designed for high-throughput environments, it is compact, cost-effective, and capable of rapid on-site screening.
Technical specifications
- Utilizes a chemiresistive sensor array that records time-series signals of VOC profiles.
- Transforms these signals into chemical fingerprints for comparison against pre-trained models.
- Captures temporal dynamics of VOCs, including diffusion, adsorption, and desorption behaviors, for improved specificity.
- Suitable for distinguishing between VOC profiles of mycotoxin-producing fungi, grain stress, and spoilage pathways.
- Designed for use in high-throughput environments, enabling quick, on-the-spot mycotoxin detection.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 3, indicating that it has been demonstrated in a laboratory setting. Future validation plans include testing with pure VOCs, reference-labeled samples, and real-world conditions to improve robustness and readiness for pilot implementation.
About Harvard University
Harvard University is a comprehensive private research university in Cambridge and Boston, recognized for intensive, cross-disciplinary research and education. Industry engages through an integrated innovation ecosystem with shared core facilities, corporate-sponsored research, and incubator space in Allston. Affiliated teaching hospitals in the Longwood Medical Area enable clinical collaboration and translation, while proximity to Kendall Square places partners in a dense R&D corridor. Research is supported by major federal agencies such as the NIH, NSF, DOE and DARPA, as well as philanthropic and corporate sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation and streamlines agreements for corporate collaborations.
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