The European Union (EU) has the most stringent requirements of any regulatory body when it comes to the level of aflatoxins permitted in foodstuffs. Anything above four microgram per kg, which is equivalent to four billionths of a kg, is not permitted. Our device will detect aflatoxins at an even lower level.
This device would have huge benefits to farmers, transportation agents, port inspectors, buyers, importers, exporters and producers of foodstuffs for human and animal consumption.
Ultimately, though, the consumer would benefit. Food would be safer and as production costs go down, so too would retail costs.
Research partnership
As well as developing a prototype instrument that will be low-cost and easy-to-use, Dr Stephen Euston and his team at Heriot-Watt University are working to establish test procedures that would allow the instrument to be used to test bulk material in situ, be it nuts, corn or cereals.
The research partnership between Dr Euston and Edinburgh Biosciences, a spin-out company based at the university’s Edinburgh campus, received funding from the Technology Strategy Board. The team expects to have a prototype instrument by June 2014.
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