DIBMES- Development and Integration of Microfluidic Biosensors for Meat Safety monitoring in farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum

Project aim: DIMBAES project is dedicated to the development of a sensor prototype for measuring metabolism for animal welfare and health, and a zoonotic alimentary pathogen with the aim of further improving its application in the continuity of pharma slaughterhouses.

 

About the project: The meat chain continuum `from farm to fork` should be managed to provide the appropriate level of consumer protection. Healthy animals are the essential a precondition for safe meat supply. Early information about prevalence/concentration of major public health hazards of zoonotic origin (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, VTEC, Yersinia) in faecal samples and levels of metabolites relevant for animal welfare and animal health from animal blood (neuroendocrine stress hormones – cortisol, chromogranin A, acute phase proteins – haptoglobin, pig MAP) are of utmost importance for the design of effective control measures. Development and integration of biosensors for meat safety monitoring in the farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum is practical and cost-efficient tool for early detection of signs that can jeopardize meat safety (stress, acute infection, increased faecal shedding of pathogens). The project has two major objectives: (i) Pilot research to select the major inputs for development of sensing systems with good specificity/sensitivity according to the market needs, and (ii) Development of 3 biosensing prototypes for: 1) one metabolite for animal welfare, 2) one metabolite for animal (pig) health and 3) one selected zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Such proof of concept can be later transformed into a commercial product, i.e. portable and cost-effective sensing system for use in the farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum.