DNA Taggant Supply Chain Traceability via Disposable Bio-IDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The palm oil supply chain faces challenges in tracing the origin of products, ensuring sustainability, and preventing fraud due to limitations in current tracking technologies, which are costly, impractical, and exclude small holders, leading to environmental and social concerns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a DNA barcode system that uses unique DNA taggants applied to products at the harvest site, combined with satellite imaging and blockchain technology to create a secure audit trail, enabling real-time source assurance and traceability from harvest to mill, and potentially along the entire supply chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tracking technologies are used to trace product origin, then traceability is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable DNA taggants that are applied to products at the source and can be detected later. These taggants are inexpensive synthetic oligonucleotides that serve their tracking purpose and then can be discarded, eliminating the need for expensive, complex tracking infrastructure while maintaining reliable traceability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electronic tracking systems with a biochemical detection system. Instead of using RFID tags, barcodes, or GPS tracking which require infrastructure, the system uses DNA-based molecular tags that can be detected through simple amplification and sequencing, dramatically reducing system complexity
2Reliability
If comprehensive tracking systems are implemented, then traceability is improved, but accessibility to small holders deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The DNA taggants are designed to be extremely inexpensive to manufacture, allowing even small holders and individual farmers to afford tagging their products. The simplicity of application (spraying or coating) and detection makes the system accessible to resources-constrained users
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables small holders to independently tag and track their own products without requiring complex infrastructure or third-party systems. The DNA taggants can be applied directly at the source and detected later through simple laboratory procedures, empowering individual producers to participate in traceability
3Reliability
If DNA taggants are applied to track products, then traceability is improved, but detection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DNA taggants are designed with specific sequences that can be easily amplified using standard PCR techniques. The taggants incorporate known sequences that serve as targets for amplification, making detection straightforward despite the complexity of working with DNA molecules
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variations in DNA sequence parameters (different oligonucleotide sequences) to encode different product identifiers. These sequence variations can be detected through standard sequencing or amplification methods, allowing complex tracking information to be read through relatively simple biochemical processes
Data Source
AI summary
Material in a supply chain is tracked by a method of applying a DNA taggant set to a first batch of the material produced by a first supplier of the material. The DNA taggant set corresponds to a tag string corresponding to the first supplier. The first batch is aggregated with a second batch to create an aggregated lot. A sample is selected from the aggregated lot and tested to determine a DNA taggant set of the sample. After selecting a sample from the aggregated lot, the sample may be labeled with a grade and then placed in a receptacle corresponding to the grade.