There is a dire need in multiple market segments for technology to rapidly and accurately detect and quantify escherichia coli and vibrio parahaemolyticus and total fecal coliforms

Coastaloceanvision Inc. was awarded a $300,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Project Grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a novel surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology for rapidly detecting and quantifying human pathogens in seafood. The SERS technology uses a higher energy laser wavelength, an innovative mixture of silver-coated nanoparticles, and a fiber optic probe designed for direct use on seafood tissues and environmental samples. Raman spectra collected with the handheld instrument will be barcoded and classified using a convolutional deep learning neural network to allow for in-situ identification and quantification of pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This technology aims to improve detection of total fecal coliforms in seafood reared and harvested from aquaculture farms, at point-of-sale seafood markets, and in the environment. The $300k SBIR grant from NOAA supports development of the SERS instrument from September 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023.

We propose to develop a novel approach to surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) for detecting human pathogens in seafood reared and harvested from aquaculture farms, at point-of-sale in seafood markets, and in the environment. Our approach uses a higher energy laser wavelength (422 and 532NM) compared with the lower energy of more the commonly used laser at 785NM, a novel mixture and preparation of AG-coated nano particles (AGNPS), a fiber optic probe that may be used directly on seafood tissue and environmental samples, and the use of barcoding the raman spectra with deep learning classification through a convolutional deep learning neural network (CDLNN). Taken together, the novel microfluidic instrument will allow hand held or in situ identification and quantification of pathogen species an…