An Ultra-Sensitive Detector for On-Line Measurement of Volatile Molecules Produced by Diseased Potato Tubers

Diseased potato tubers in storage produce volatile organic chemicals that can be used as an indicator of the type and quantity of disease in the storage facility. By measuring the concentration of such volatile molecules, disease formation can be detected at an early stage, thereby providing an opportunity to avoid widespread damage to the crop. The more sensitive the detector of the specific molecules the better the protection capability. Furthermore, since some diseases can spread very rapidly, collecting samples and performing off-line analysis will significantly degrade the protection capability of the detection system. This SBIR project will demonstrate the feasibility of a novel concept for ultra sensitive detection and identification of a broad range of molecular species. This concept will serve as the foundation for a new generation of diagnostic tools for specific and sensitive detection of organic molecules produced by diseases in stored potatoes. The innovation consists of a molecular based sample conditioning system coupled to an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS). The sample conditioning system will serve to block background compounds from interfering with the detection of trace amounts of organic molecules produced by disease pathogens. The result is a molecular detection system that possesses the above performance features needed to successfully protect stored potatoes.