PMIL Lead Scientist Kumar Mallikarjunan is one of three main authors on a publication in the April 23rd 2015 edition of the Journal of Food Analytical Methods, “Characterization of Invasion of Genus Aspergillus on Peanut Seeds Using FTIR-PAS.” Other authors are Dr. Hande Kaya-Celiker, a post-doctoral associate in the current PMIL project at Virginia Tech and Dr. Archileo Kaaya from Makarere University in Uganda.
The article focuses on the usage of Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with a non-invasive reflectance apparatus, photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) to identify and separate infected peanuts based on spectral characteristics of infrared radiation on peanuts. Using FTIR-PAS resulted in an 80% correct classification into toxic, moldy and clean peanut samples.