SEEBug – Development of a SEnsor for the Rapid and Effective Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria in Bivalves

Coordinator

Catarina Marques

Programme

Mar 2020 - Programa Operacional Mar 2020

Dates

08/07/2020 - 30/06/2023

Participating Institutions

  • nacional

Bivalve production in Portugal has been increasing substantially, leading the mollusc commercialisation rankings in some national production areas, so its economic impact on the domestic and export markets is increasingly relevant. However, bivalve production sites are often affected by faecal contamination, promoting the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in these filter organisms. The need to apply control systems that guarantee food safety and prevent negative impacts on consumer health is extremely important. The aim of this research project is to develop and apply specific, broad-spectrum SEEBug sensors capable of detecting early contamination of bivalves by pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the SEEBug mobile phone application will be developed based on artificial intelligence algorithms, with the aim of generating a low-cost, easy-to-apply and environmentally sustainable technology that can be used by operators in the shellfish fishing sector, from fishermen to end sellers.