ISRAEL – Israeli startup Sensifi is making waves in the food testing market with its groundbreaking technology that promises to revolutionize pathogen detection.
Using an ‘artificial nose,’ Sensifi’s system enables rapid on-premise detection of harmful pathogens like E. Coli and Salmonella, providing results in under an hour—dramatically reducing the turnaround time compared to traditional lab testing, which can take two to three days.
Sensifi’s cutting-edge system employs electrodes coated with carbon ‘dots,’ tiny nanoparticles of carbon, to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by bacteria and other microbes.
The technology, developed by Prof. Raz Jelinek and Ph.D. student Nitsan Shauloff from Ben Gurion University, utilizes machine learning to analyze the VOC ‘fingerprint’ of bacteria. The result is a precise and continuous monitoring of bacterial proliferation and discrimination among different bacterial species and strains.
While food safety testing is a key target market, Sensifi’s ‘artificial nose’ technology extends beyond the realm of food.
Sensifi is also exploring collaborations with breweries to ensure consistent yeast quality during fermentation, as well as potential partnerships with meat and dairy manufacturers for testing purposes.
Prof. Raz Jelinek highlights the significant impact Sensifi’s technology can have on reducing foodborne illnesses caused by bacterial contamination.
By enabling on-site bacteria testing, results are delivered in under an hour, saving valuable time and resources. Sensifi’s innovative approach empowers companies to detect and mitigate contamination risks quickly and efficiently.
Sensing as a Service
Sensifi’s business model centers on providing the sensors at a low cost to clients while generating revenue primarily through a subscription-based model called “Sensing as a Service” (SaaS).
By building a comprehensive database that analyzes bacteria behavior in various scenarios of temperature and humidity, subscribers receive real-time alerts about potential pathogen contamination.
The technology has far-reaching implications, from avoiding costly product recalls to enhancing supply chain efficiency. The potential to save millions of dollars from recalls and, more importantly, safeguard human lives makes Sensifi’s system a game-changer for food safety and quality assurance across industries.
Sensifi’s second application involves empowering consumers to detect food spoilage through labels that change color in response to emitted gases, such as ammonia, from perishable foods like meat, fish, and chicken. This feature could revolutionize food storage practices, enhancing food security and reducing food waste.
With Sensifi’s breakthrough technology, the future of food safety and pathogen detection looks promising, ushering in a new era of swift and reliable testing that benefits industries, consumers, and public health alike.
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