title: Optical characterization of Pseudomonas fluorescens on meat surfaces using time-resolved fluorescence.
abstract: A scanning optical system for the detection of bacteria on meat surfaces based on fluorescence lifetime and intensity measurements is described. The system detects autofluorescent light emitted by naturally occurring fluorophores in bacteria. The technique only requires minimal sample preparation and handling, thus the chemical properties of the specimen are preserved. This work presents the preliminary results obtained from a time-resolved fluorescence imaging system for the characterization of a nonpathogenic gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens. Initial results indicate that the combination of fluorescence lifetime and intensity measurements provides a means for characterizing biological media and for detecting microorganisms on surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Institut National d'Optique, Parc Technologique du Québec Métropolitain, 2740, rue Einstein, Sainte-Foy, Québec, G1P 4S4 Canada.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fréchette
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.forename: Réal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallée
authors.forename: Akier Assanta
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mafu
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*