Non-invasive Lethality Assessment via Microgenomic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring lethality and cross-contamination in food processing, especially in flowing systems like fresh cut produce washing, face challenges due to lack of fundamental knowledge on control parameters, variability in traditional measurement techniques, and the need for invasive microbial load assessments, which are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
Non-invasive methods using microgenomic analysis, semi-permeable packets to isolate bacteria, and direct qPCR for measuring lethality and cross-contamination, along with the use of swabs and aggregating samplers to reduce uncertainty and speed up results, allowing for real-time process validation and performance verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional invasive microbial load measurement methods are used, then lethality and cross-contamination can be measured, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/invasive microbial culture methods with optical detection systems. Spectral measurements are taken directly from the product to determine microbial load, eliminating the need for time-consuming culture incubation while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spectral signatures as a copy or proxy for actual microbial presence. By measuring the optical properties of the product, the system infers microbial load without directly manipulating or culturing the microorganisms, significantly reducing measurement time
2Measurement precision
If invasive microbial load assessment is performed, then process lethality can be determined, but the complexity and cost of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex invasive sampling and culture procedures with straightforward spectral measurements. The optical system directly quantifies microbial load through non-invasive scanning, reducing both device complexity and operational complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The product itself provides the measurement information through its spectral properties. The microbial load assessment is derived from the product's own optical characteristics without requiring external culture media or complex analytical equipment, simplifying the overall measurement system
3Reliability
If traditional plating techniques are used for microbial enumeration, then lethality trends can be demonstrated, but the incubation time required is too long for real-time process evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the slow biological culture process with immediate optical detection. Spectral measurements provide real-time data on microbial load changes, enabling rapid process evaluation while maintaining the reliability needed for lethality assessment through direct correlation with microbial presence
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
These methods provide rapid, accurate, and cost-effective assessments of lethality and cross-contamination, reducing uncertainty and the need for invasive procedures, enabling real-time process monitoring and improvement in food processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The methods include obtaining a spectral measurement of a product
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for non-invasively assessing lethality and/or cross contamination of a process. In some embodiments, an aggregating sampler is used, such as a fixture catcher, to obtain samples before, after and/or during the process. In some embodiments, an isolated packet of bacteria is exposed to the active elements of the process without contacting the product. In other embodiments, a method to measure lethality using microgenomic analysis is reported. In still other embodiments, a procedure is reported to use the knowledge from a microgenomic process to use direct qPCR for identified genera species to measure cross contamination. These metrics have special utility in the validation of wash water performance but may have utility is assessing process performance when unpackaged product is treated as for blanching and irradiation. Process performance can include verification of process delivery or for research.