BIOLAN has initiated validation activities in shrimp aquaculture facilities in Ecuador and Honduras in order to demonstrate SO2SAFE biosensor operation in real environment.

SO2SAFE biosensor has been developed as an early monitoring method for sulphite analysis in the water of the bins where shrimps are collected and mixed with sulphite, water and ice. Sulphite analysis at this point of the process is crucial in order to avoid failures in the control of melanosis and moreover will prevent the presence of excessive amounts of sulphite in the following steps of the process chain.

These analyses are performed in the field, in close proximity to the pools where shrimps are collected. Thus, SO2SAFE miniaturized biosensor is suitable to this application because of portability, simplicity and rapidity.

This innovative biosensor is the result of the SO2SAFE project that has been founded by the European Commission thanks the approbation of the Phase 1 and 2 of the SME Instrument Programme of the European H2020 strategy, and within the topic “BIOTEC-5b-2015 – SME boosting biotechnology-based industrial processes driving competitiveness and sustainability”.

This relevant European Commission’s support for the SO2SAFE project has boosted BIOLAN to develop a new generation of high-tech analytical solutions that meet real needs of the food industry to ensure food safety.