Mold Detection via Fluorescent Labeling and Growth Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting mold in products take several days to complete, leading to delayed product releases and potential shelf-life loss, even if the product ultimately passes the mold test.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a growth medium with nitrogenous, carbohydrate, and carbon sources, along with a stimulation agent like n-acetyl glucosamine, accelerates mold growth, allowing for mold detection in less than 24 hours by using a labeling agent and fluorescence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional plate count test methods are used, then accurate mold detection can be achieved, but detection time is extended to several days
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the growth medium by adding specific stimulation agents (N-acetyl glucosamine, yeast extract, peptone) and adjusting nutrient composition. These parameter changes accelerate mold growth rate while maintaining detection accuracy, reducing detection time from several days to less than 24 hours
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a labeling agent as an intermediary that binds to mold structures. This labeling agent enables rapid detection through fluorescence or other detectable signals, allowing accurate mold identification without requiring prolonged incubation periods needed in traditional methods
2Reliability
If traditional detection methods are used, then product shelf life is preserved, but product release is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
By modifying the growth medium parameters to include stimulation agents and optimized nutrients, the invention accelerates mold growth sufficiently fast to enable same-day or next-day detection results. This maintains product safety assurance while enabling faster product release decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the time-dependent mechanical observation method (visual inspection of colony growth) with a signal-based detection system using labeling agents. This substitution provides rapid, objective detection results that enable faster productivity without compromising reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces detection time, enabling rapid determination of mold presence or absence in products, facilitating timely product releases or disposal, and is applicable to various commercial products intended for human use.
Implementation Method 1
The stimulation agent can be provided to stimulate the growth of any mold present in the sample while it is in the presence of the growth medium
Implementation Method 2
the labeling agent including a fluorescent agent, and detecting the presence or absence of mold in the sample by placing the substrate into a fluorescence chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a method of detecting the presence or absence of mold in a sample. The method can include the step of applying a sample suspected of containing the mold to a growth medium, optionally fragmenting the sample, associating the sample with a labeling agent, and detecting the presence or absence of the mold by detection of the labeling agent. The invention can also include a medium for growing mold that includes a stimulation agent.