Detecting potato rot by ‘smell’

Maintaining the quality and health of stored potatoes is vital for growers, processors and consumers but each year there are consistent and substantial losses due to storage diseases. The Lonestar portable freshness monitor can detect volatile chemical signatures associated with bacterial diseases such as blackleg and potato soft-rot in real time. This allows the early detection and isolation of rotten potato stock, helping to prevent further losses.

Every year there are consistent potato stock losses because of storage diseases where in some instances entire stores have to be destroyed. Losses due to potato rot are estimated by the Potato Council to be as high as 15%. Diseased potatoes are associated with the release of specific volatile compounds which if recognised would allow early detection and diagnosis, enabling silo managers to initiate preventative measures ranging from changing the environmental conditions, selling stock early, or the removal and destruction of affected product.

Owlstone’s portable ‘Lonestar’ analyzer uses FAIMS (field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry) technology for mobile, rapid monitoring of silos for volatile chemicals associated with diseases such as Blackleg and soft-rot, caused by the bacteria Pectobacterium atrosepticum (a variant of Pectobacterium carotovorum).

Potato stores have controlled air flow, and Lonestar is ideally suited to monitor for disease detection through a simple manifold interface with the existing structure of bulk stores. As many stores are designed for bulk-boxes, Lonestar could also be used as a portable device for ‘sniffing’ individual boxes or rooms. Lonestar is designed for use by non-specialists at the point of need. As well as reducing waste Lonestar could be used to ensure that storage facilities use the optimum climate conditions, maximising energy efficiency.

More information www.owlstonenanotech.com/lonestar/apps/detecting-potato-rot