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The following text has been machine translated from the German with no human editing.
The collaboration between Fraunhofer IVV and Saarland University has developed a system development tool (SENT) that enables the simple implementation of miniaturised gas chromatography systems.
The result: ‘OxiVOC-GC’, a handy analyser that solves two key problems:
1. Early detection of rancidity: It detects volatile organic compounds (VOCs) resulting from fat oxidation even before humans perceive the rancid odour.
2. Differentiation of mould contamination: The device detects mould and reliably distinguishes it from fat oxidation.
The system operates contact-free, uses purified air and, with the aid of highly sensitive semiconductor gas sensors, delivers precise results immediately, bringing benefits for both industry and consumers: the technology not only ensures food quality and reduces waste, but also enhances food safety for end consumers. The findings are also transferable to other mobile VOC analysis systems in other industries, opening up new market opportunities for component and measurement system manufacturers.
Professor Andreas Schütze, a metrology expert, and his team at Saarland University are specialists in gas sensor systems. “In this case, we have developed a compact and cost-effective sensor system that determines the quality of nuts and other oilseeds quickly and with proven reliability. Until now, such technical laboratory analyses have been complex and expensive due to the high demands on the sensitivity and selectivity of the measurement systems, meaning that companies have largely had to rely on random odour assessments by human experts for quality control. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular can benefit from the new gas sensor system to ensure the consistent quality of their products whilst simultaneously reducing production and development costs,” explains Andreas Schütze.
Dr Tilman Sauerwald, a researcher at Fraunhofer IVV, adds: “With the demonstrator we have developed, hazelnuts can be tested for quality and their ageing determined, all without taking up much time – a major step forward for quality assurance in the confectionery industry. The key feature of this process, however, is that we can further develop it at any time for a wide variety of applications, for example to test the freshness of other foods or the quality of recycled plastic. This is a real game-changer for the quality assurance of products of all kinds.”
About the participating research institutions
The research project was carried out between 2023 and 2025 by the
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV The Fraunhofer IVV in Freising is a leading research institute in the field of developing technologies and processes for food processing, packaging and environmental technology. The Food Quality Preservation Department focuses on innovative approaches to ensuring and improving product quality and shelf life.
Saarland University, Chair of Measurement Technology
The Chair of Measurement Technology at Saarland University in Saarbrücken conducts research into fundamental and applied aspects of sensor technology and measurement technology. The focus is on the development of miniaturised gas sensors, chemical sensors and system integration for demanding analytical tasks in industry and research.
DECHEMA Research Association
Since its foundation in 1926, DECHEMA has been one of the leading organisations in chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology. It brings together the expertise of more than 5,000 members from the worlds of science, industry and politics and, through its expert committees, projects and events, makes a decisive contribution to the advancement of the process industry. As part of the IGF programme, DECHEMA is involved in pre-competitive collaborative research. The aim is to translate scientific findings into practical solutions, thereby strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the sectors represented.
Scientific contact:
Prof. Dr Andreas Schütze, email: schuetze(at)lmt.uni-saarland.de
PD Dr Tilman Sauerwald, email: Tilman.Sauerwald(at)ivv.fraunhofer.de