Detecting bacteria and fungi in food faster, safer and more cost-effectively is the goal of the new Interreg project SenSpores, which was officially launched on April 17 at Maastricht University's Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo. The project involves applied scientific research together with companies that are to integrate sensors into their production process.

Michael Flore from beverage manufacturer Valensina has high hopes for this new technology, which will enable faster detection of germ content. Detlef Sander from the Association for the Promotion of the Dairy Industry is also hoping for speed gains: "The detection of microorganisms in milk currently still takes several days: we hope that in future this can be done directly in the process with the help of sensors at lower costs and less product loss." Hanno Geissler from SIG Combibloc Systems GmbH sells beverage cartons and machines for filling them. He sees sensors primarily as a risk reduction for his customers: "The new system must monitor the process online so that we no longer have to carry out tests to analyze it in the laboratory. Maastricht University already has the necessary expertise in the technology, which is imitated using plastic polymers instead of living organisms. The Hochschule Niederrhein is the lead partner of this Interreg Germany-Nederland project, which is intended to have a particular impact in the euregio rhein-maas-nord, as there are many food processing companies here. Interreg program manager Martijn Spaargaren was pleased that the project was presented to the public in a report by WDR-Lokalzeit Düsseldorf, because ultimately everyone wants to eat and drink without bacteria and fungi.

SenSpores is a German-Dutch project with a total volume of almost 3 million euros and will run from 01.11.2023 to 31.10.2027. The project is co-financed by the EU, the Province of Limburg, the Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Novel sensor strategies for the rapid detection of fungal and bacterial spores in liquid foods

Joint research for a sustainable future

On 24.01.2024, the promising Interreg project SenSpores was officially launched with the aim of developing novel sensor strategies for the rapid detection of fungal and bacterial spores in liquid foods. The project brings together innovative technologies and expertise to improve food safety and enable a faster response to potential hazards in food production.

The event began with a warm welcome from the project leader and Vice President for Research and Transfer at The Hochschule Niederrhein,

Prof. Dr. Dr. Alexander Prange, who emphasized the importance of the project for the food industry. He emphasized that SenSpores can play a decisive role in ensuring the quality and safety of liquid foods.

Martijn Spaargaren from the Euregio rmn then introduced the participants to the administrative aspects of the project. This information provides the project partners with a clear guideline for the implementation of their activities and compliance with the funding requirements.

A round of introductions of the project partners followed, with each partner explaining their specific role and responsibilities in the project. The diversity of the partner consortium - from research facilities, companies and associations promises to achieve the overall objectives of the project.

The event ended with an informal exchange and a small snack, which gave the participants the opportunity to get to know each other better.

Further information on the project and its progress will be published regularly and is available on the official project website.

The SenSpores project is being implemented as part of the Interreg VI A program Germany-Nederland and is co-financed with 2.9 million euros by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK), MWIKE NRW and the Province of Limburg."