Automated detection of fecal contamination of apples by multispectral laser-induced fluorescence imaging

Appl Opt. 2003 Jul 1;42(19):3935-43. doi: 10.1364/ao.42.003935.

Abstract

Animal feces are a suspected source of contamination of apples by disease-causing organisms such as Echerichia coli O157. Laser-induced fluorescence was used to detect different amounts of feces from dairy cows, deer, and a dairy pasture applied to Red Delicious apples. One day after application, detection for 1:2 and 1:20 dilutions was nearly 100%, and for 1:200 dilutions (<15 ng of dry matter) detection was >80%. Detection after apples had been washed and brushed was lowest for pasture feces; detection for 1:2, 1:20, and 1:200 dilutions of feces was 100%, 30%, and 0%, respectively. This technology may encourage development of commercial systems for detecting fecal contamination of apples.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Color
  • Disinfection / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Handling / methods
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Lasers*
  • Malus / chemistry*
  • Quality Control
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods