Method and apparatus for the detection of volatile products in a sample

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for detection of volatile products from a sample using a transducer which changes voltage as a function of contact of the volatile products with the transducer to produce a gas signature of the volatile products and a spectrophotometer to analyze the volatile products to produce a spectral footprint of the volatile products. The apparatus and method are used to detect spoilage of a biological material, such as food. The apparatus is also used to detect microorganisms contaminating a food product or environmental sample and by comparing the gas signature and spectral footprint to a library of gas signatures and spectral footprints, the apparatus enables identification of the microorganisms and in particular identification of pathogenic microorganisms.