TY - JOUR
T1 - Real-time detection of potato spoilage by gas sensor array coupled with microbiological analysis
AU - Tangirbergen, A.
AU - Tleubekova, A.
AU - Yergaliuly, G.
AU - Kurmanbayeva, A.
AU - Soltabayev, B.
AU - Soltabayeva, A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
PY - 2026/1/1
Y1 - 2026/1/1
N2 - Vegetable spoilage is a major contributor to global food loss, with potatoes being especially vulnerable due to their high nutrient content and microbial susceptibility. This study introduces a real-time, non-invasive method for detecting potato spoilage using a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor array, focusing on the MQ-3 sensor. An Arduino-based system continuously monitored gas emissions under ambient, high-humidity, and UV-treated storage conditions. Sensor data were validated against microbiological analysis, including E. coli , coliforms , total aerobic counts, yeast, and mold. A strong correlation was observed between sensor resistance decline and microbial growth, with MQ-3 showing high sensitivity to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). UV pretreatment delayed microbial activity and stabilized sensor signals. Comparative analysis revealed that only MQ-3 and MQ-135 were effective for early potato spoilage detection. These findings demonstrate the potential of low-cost MOS sensors as practical alternatives to traditional methods, enhancing food safety and reducing post-harvest losses.
AB - Vegetable spoilage is a major contributor to global food loss, with potatoes being especially vulnerable due to their high nutrient content and microbial susceptibility. This study introduces a real-time, non-invasive method for detecting potato spoilage using a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) gas sensor array, focusing on the MQ-3 sensor. An Arduino-based system continuously monitored gas emissions under ambient, high-humidity, and UV-treated storage conditions. Sensor data were validated against microbiological analysis, including E. coli , coliforms , total aerobic counts, yeast, and mold. A strong correlation was observed between sensor resistance decline and microbial growth, with MQ-3 showing high sensitivity to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). UV pretreatment delayed microbial activity and stabilized sensor signals. Comparative analysis revealed that only MQ-3 and MQ-135 were effective for early potato spoilage detection. These findings demonstrate the potential of low-cost MOS sensors as practical alternatives to traditional methods, enhancing food safety and reducing post-harvest losses.
KW - Food storage
KW - Fungal infection
KW - Microbial contamination
KW - Non-invasive detection
KW - Potato spoilage
KW - Volatile organic compounds
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025424903
U2 - 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118926
DO - 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118926
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105025424903
SN - 0023-6438
VL - 239
JO - LWT
JF - LWT
M1 - 118926
ER -