New invention can spot rot in potatoes

By Gwyn Wright via SWNS

A sensor that can spot rot in potatoes has been developed by scientists.

The gadget can detect disease in spuds and stop nasty bacteria from growing and spreading.

When the sensor is near an infected potato, the device lights up twice as brightly as it does in healthy spuds.

The moldier the spud, the brighter the light.

Researchers in Israel say the sensor can quickly and accurately analyze characteristics of the disease, which it can “smell”, before visible symptoms appear.

It can flag up the disease in bad potatoes early and keep them away from healthy ones, stopping the rot from developing further and spreading to other healthy plants.

The researchers say farmers will be able to spot problems before the starchy staples are exported and help reduce food waste.

Currently, around half of the world’s harvested food has to be thrown away because of rot caused by microorganisms.

To make it, the team created a compound of four genetically engineered bacteria that can measure how toxic plants are.

Earlier research has shown the sensor can work in artificial sweeteners used in sports supplements.

Lead study author Dr. Dorin Harpaz, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: “The biological sensor can be used to quickly and economically identify hidden rot in potatoes, facilitate better post-harvest management, and reduce food wastage—particularly important given the current global food crisis.”

The findings were published in the journal Talanta.