Thomas Kunz (1),
Hans-Joachim Cappius (2), Antje Fröhling (3), Andrea Karrasch (4),
Michael Kumke (5), Frank-Jürgen Methner (1), Peter Thoren (6), Andreas
Walte (7); (1) Technische Universität Berlin, Chair of Brewing Science,
Berlin, Germany; (2) Laser- und Medizin-Technologie GmbH (LMTB), Berlin,
Germany; (3) Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering
Potsdam-Bornim e.V. (ATB), Potsdam, Germany; (4) LLA Instruments GmbH,
Berlin, Germany; (5) University of Potsdam, Institute of Chemistry,
Physical Chemistry, Golm, Germany; (6) Röber Institut GmbH,
Wutha-Farnroda, Germany; (7) Airsense Analytics GmbH, Schwerin, Germany
Malt and Grains
Poster
Mycotoxins are toxic and suspected to be carcinogenic and mutagenic,
to influence the endocrine system negatively, to promote bleeding, to
weaken the immune system, to damage skin and kidneys and to attack the
nervous system. In worst cases mycotoxins can pass undetected through
the whole production chain of grain and cereal products and damage the
health of humans and animals even in low concentrations. The aim of the
Optiscreen research project is the development of a screening concept to
detect mycotoxins in storage sides and to improve the elimination of
contaminated grain during industrial grain sorting. The optical sensor
for 100% detection above a grain stream will enable contaminated grains
to be sorted out and will be supplemented with an ion mobility
spectrometry (IMS) sensor for the analysis of the gas phase in grain
silos for early and quantitative detection of fungal contamination. For
the development of the described screening sensor system several
fundamental investigations are necessary. First, presented results
demonstrate the identification of spectral optical regions of
contaminated grains in comparison to microbiological analyses and
quantitative mycotoxin determination via ELISA and HPLC. Fluorescence in
combination with NIR reflection spectroscopy is applied in the optical
sensing. The microbiological results give information about the
microbial load of grains, including specific fungi contamination in
correlation with the mycotoxin content and, in general, are used for the
calibration of the sensor system. The experimental optical data will be
treated in-line by chemometric signal processing to improve the
identification of contaminants. Finally, a demonstrator is constructed
which in turn will be tested for sensitivity under laboratory
conditions. In the second approach, IMS is evaluated for the screening
of specific fungi-related metabolites products in the gas phase. For the
determination of fungi species, selective metabolite model
investigations with different fungi bred on agar and brewing barley are
performed with respect to the characteristic volatile metabolites. The
headspace analysis is performed using SPME/TD for sampling and GC-MS for
the determination of the metabolites. Based on the metabolite pattern
analysis information on fungi species and their respective approximate
quantity, possible contamination of grain storage sides will be
monitored by analysis of the gas phase.
After qualifying as a certified technician in preservation
engineering (1991-1993), Thomas Kunz completed his basic studies in
chemistry at the University of Applied Sciences, Isny (1994-1995) and
his basic studies in food chemistry at Wuppertal University (1995-1998),
before starting to study food technology at the University of Applied
Sciences, Trier (1998-2002). After graduating, he worked as a chartered
engineer in the area of ESR spectroscopy at the Institute of Bio Physics
at Saarland University (2002-2004). Since 2005 he has been employed as a
scientific assistant, Ph.D. student and since 2009 as head of the
laboratory at the Institute of Food Technology and Food Chemistry, Chair
of Brewing Science, Technische Universität Berlin. His main research
focus lies in analyzing radical reaction mechanisms and oxidative
processes in beer and other beverages using ESR spectroscopy. A further
research focus consists of the optimization of filtration and
stabilization processes.
