Differential detection of potentially hazardous Fusarium species in wheat grains by an electronic nose

PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e21026. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021026. Epub 2011 Jun 9.

Abstract

Fungal infestation on wheat is an increasingly grave nutritional problem in many countries worldwide. Fusarium species are especially harmful pathogens due to their toxic metabolites. In this work we studied volatile compounds released by F. cerealis, F. graminearum, F. culmorum and F. redolens using SPME-GC/MS. By using an electronic nose we were able to differentiate between infected and non-infected wheat grains in the post-harvest chain. Our electronic nose was capable of distinguishing between four wheat Fusaria species with an accuracy higher than 80%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrical Equipment and Supplies*
  • Food Microbiology / instrumentation*
  • Fusarium / isolation & purification*
  • Fusarium / pathogenicity
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Odorants / analysis*
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Quartz Crystal Microbalance Techniques
  • Triticum / microbiology*