Hyperspectral imaging to identify Listeria monocytogenes in salmonids (RD072)

Project Outcome:

This project has brought together the expertise from 4 different organisations.

• IRIS – specialising in the development of photonics-based real-time process monitoring solutions for industrial applications.
• Strathclyde University – Hyperspectral Imaging and image analysis.
• Stirling University – World leaders in research and teaching in global aquaculture involved in developing solutions for bacterial infections in farmed fish and shellfish, as well as developing the area of microbial seafood safety.
• Agri-EPI Centre – One of the four UK Agri-tech Innovation with a strong track record in delivering Engineering Precision Innovation projects.

In partnership with producers, processors, retailers and the standards regulator, the project has demonstrated that Hyperspectral Imaging has the potential to be highly effective in providing a real time measure of quality diversity in farmed salmon products. Further refinement is required to conclusively detect microbial spoilage from L. monocytogenes, the project offers the opportunity to deliver to the food manufacturers a low-cost solution to monitor fish quality, including risk of microbial spoilage, directly at the point of packaging.