Application of gas-sensor array technology for detection and monitoring of growth of spoilage bacteria in milk: A model study [An article from: Analytica Chimica Acta]

This digital document is a journal article from Analytica Chimica Acta, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
The aim of this study was to develop a novel, rapid system for detection and monitoring of growth of undesirable bacteria in food using gas-sensor array technology. Three spoilage bacteria isolated from a cheese-processing hall were identified as Serratia marcescens, Serratia proteamacufans and Pseudomonas putida. The growth of these bacteria in milk was investigated using a commercial solid state based gas-sensor array system. On the basis of the temporal sensor readings of the pure cultures, bacterial growth could be monitored and the individual strains identified and followed throughout the complete growth cycle in both single and mixed culture. The gas-sensor signals could be used as early indicators of the onset of bacterial growth. Start detection of volatile bacterial metabolites coincided with the start of the exponential growth phase taking place around 7h after inoculation and corresponding to bacterial numbers of 10^4 (cfu/ml). The results were confirmed by comparing the gas profiles with the cell counts and by headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of volatile microbial metabolites. High correlation (r>0.90, p