TECH OFFERS

High-risk industrial sectors, represented by the chemical industries, are prone to experience production safety accidents. When these incidents occur, the consequences can be severe. Traditional risk management methods, often rely on manual processes, have limitations such as insufficient oversight, incomplete management, and ineffective control. These methods also struggle to provide timely pre-incident warnings, active interventions during incidents, and reliable post-incident evidence collection. To address these challenges, the technology owner has developed an intelligent industry solution leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as computer vision, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. By integrating enterprise camera systems with algorithms on server platforms, it establishes an advanced risk detection and management platform based on intelligent video analysis. This platform enhances the safety management through comprehensive risk perception and control, proactive hazard identification, predictive warnings, and visual decision-making assistance. Ultimately, it realizes comprehensive safety and intelligent management capabilities for high-risk industrial enterprises. The technology owner seeks collaboration with industrial partners interested in artificial intelligence, such as companies in chemical and energy sectors, as well as hardware providers, such as manufacturers of surveillance cameras, to co-develop and implement this technology to meet specific needs.   The solution integrates AI technology with safety management of operations in high-risk industries, independently developing over 300 proprietary algorithms to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the four key elements in industrial safety operations: personnel, equipment, environment, and operational procedures. Additionally, it incorporates industrial large language models and knowledge graphs to enhance data-driven decision-making support. The technology exhibits the following key features: Small Sample Detection and Recognition Based on Siamese Network: Utilizing a proprietary Siamese Network structure, the solution leverages large volumes of normal data and small amounts of abnormal data to train the neural network. By designing a classification network based on compressed sensing optimization, the system achieves over 90% recognition accuracy in high-risk scenarios, even with small sample sizes. Sequence Standard Action Verification Based on Transformer: In actual chemical production scenarios, standard actions often occur between people and equipment. By designing a Transformer network structure trained on sequential video action dataset, the solution robustly extracts action features and verifies continuous actions in real time. It achieves over 95% detection accuracy in high-risk scenarios like filling platforms and other operations. Decision Support Based on Industrial Large Language Models and Knowledge Graphs: By combining large language models with knowledge graphs, the solution enables intelligent decision-making support, improving efficiency and accuracy in industrial safety management. The solution enables significant advancements in safety management and operational optimisation, helping companies reduce property damage and personal injury while enhancing efficiency and productivity. It also increases industrial automation, reduces costs, and lowers energy consumption. Applicable across various high-risk industries, such as chemical, oil fields, mining, power, steel, construction sites, energy, and ports, etc., including: Supervision of Production Safety: Monitors standard operating procedures (SOPs), temporary operation supervision, and personnel PPE compliance, etc. Intelligent Monitoring of Equipment Status: Inspects vehicles, equipment leaks and drips, instrument data reading, spark inspection, etc. Additionally, this technology is applicable to industrial quality inspection, to identify and classify product defects, and to perform fine-grained inspections of product surface appearances, ultimately helping companies reduce costs and improve efficiency. The solution integrates computer vision with high-risk industrial safety, offering a lightweight "Active Safe Workplace" deployment. It is the only real-time safety information system integrating multiple computer vision algorithms, such as video stream overlay, posture recognition, classification, and traditional security hardware. The AI, equipped with learning capabilities, ensures 24/7 uninterrupted supervision across all cameras Monitors both fixed operational SOPs and temporary operations Features over 300 proprietary, customisable algorithm that can be infinitely combined based on specific conditions and business logic Owns extensive chemical industry data resources (PB-level) for algorithm optimization, achieving superior algorithm performance with over 90% accuracy Proven experience in chemical industry projects enables rapid deployment in new scenarios, based on mature algorithms and strong generalization capabilities Integrates a specialized large language model tailed for industrial safety, leveraging accumulated expertise, data resources, and empirical knowledge, to provide scientifically informed, superior domain-specific decision-making for chemical sector safety AI Intelligent Monitoring, Industrial Safety, Computer Vision Infocomm, Artificial Intelligence

The global heating industry is undergoing significant transformation as the demand for energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions increases. Traditional wire heating systems are inefficient with limitations such as uneven heat distribution, high power consumption, and restricted flexibility and high carbon emission. These challenges necessitate the development of advanced heating materials that can offer higher efficiency, lower energy consumption, greater flexibility, and adaptability to various applications. In response, the technology owner has developed an innovative flexible intelligent electrothermal film made from carbon fibers, representing a novel electrothermal conversion material. Through independent research and development (R&D) in large-scale preparation and modification, this technology has achieved low-voltage and high-efficiency energy conversion. By incorporating intelligent power management, this electrothermal film overcomes many limitations of traditional resistance wire heating and offers unique surface radiation benefits, delivering more than 30% energy savings. Its scalable production and unique performance advantages position it as a key technology to address the heating needs of the future. The technology owner has expertise and large-scale production capabilities and is actively seeking R&D collaboration opportunities with industrial partners to explore potential applications. Compared to traditional electric heating, it offers the following key features: Uniform Surface Heating: Maintains a temperature difference of only +/- 2°C for consistent performance Rapid Temperature Rise: Capable of reaching 300°C within seconds, reducing preheating time by two-thirds High Electrothermal Conversion Efficiency (up to 99%): Achieves over 40% power savings compared to resistance wire heating coils, significantly conserving electricity. Sensorless Intelligent Temperature Control: Allows for precise temperature regulation of the heated object Ultra-thin and Ultra-light: Thickness ranges from 30 to 200μm and the density is 1/12 of copper Safe and Reliable Design: Features a flame-retardant and heat-resistant construction with no open flames This technology is designed for innovative products in areas such as new energy vehicles, smart furniture, industrial energy conservation, physiotherapy, and military applications. Potential applications include, but are not limited to: Anti-icing systems for wind turbine blades Smart thermal insulation jackets for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EV) Electric heating elements for cold start of LED screens Rapid electric heating for smart temperature-controlled alloy panels Constant temperature control for cultivation of agricultural seedlings for breeding purposes Revolutionary Electrothermal Conversion Material: Offers hsigh thermal efficiency and significant energy savings Intelligent Self-Temperature Control: Provides precise heat regulation without the need for additional sensors Lightweight and Compact Design: Applicable for a wide range of applications across various sectors High Safety and Reliability: Lasts up to 10 times longer than conventional films due to enhanced resistance to deformation, ensuring long-time safety with no open flames Materials, Composites, Electronics, Power Management, Infocomm, Internet of Things

The Smart Energy Management Platform (SEMP) is designed for homeowners and building owners/operators facing rising energy costs due to fluctuating energy prices and the impact of climate change. As an all-in-one solution, SEMP integrates distributed energy resources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) into a single, user-friendly platform. Unlike standalone systems that offer limited monitoring, SEMP employs advanced AI algorithms to optimize energy use, reduce electricity bills, and maximize savings. Additionally, the platform enables Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading, allowing users to trade excess renewable energy within a decentralized network. SEMP also tracks and aggregates carbon credits, helping users contribute to sustainability goals. With its holistic approach, SEMP not only simplifies energy management but also provides users with a seamless way to participate in the renewable energy market, improving efficiency and lowering overall energy costs. The technology owner is seeking partnerships with renewable energy companies, EV manufacturers, utilities, real estate developers, facility managers, government agencies, automation firms, and carbon credit agencies. The SEMP designed to simplify and enhance energy management. Key features include: An all-in-one platform with centralized, multi-scale monitoring of energy generation, consumption, savings, and aggregated carbon credits. Advanced AI-driven time-series prediction and optimization to maximize energy savings and reduce electricity bills. User-friendly mobile app enabling real-time monitoring and control of energy resources. Support for key renewable energy sources such as Solar PV panels, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for each residential prosumer site. Aggregation of energy data from multiple prosumers under the same corporate entity, allowing seamless integration. Compliance with Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) standards, with issuance available when aggregated renewable energy exceeds 1 MWh. Automatic inclusion of residential sites in Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading or grid exporting, ensuring minimum effort participation in energy markets. Detailed insights into energy flow and personalized energy-saving advice, empowering prosumers to optimize their renewable energy use. For homeowners, it provides a user-friendly solution to manage renewable energy, optimize electricity savings, and enable seamless EV charging. Homeowners can also trade excess energy with neighbors through Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading. For commercial buildings and factories, SEMP serves as a comprehensive platform that integrates solar PV, EV chargers, and BESS, allowing centralized monitoring, AI-driven energy optimization, and carbon credit calculation. Its multi-site dashboard simplifies energy management across multiple locations, while enabling energy trading and improving overall efficiency. In response to global warming, there is a growing shift toward eco-conscious living, with individuals and businesses embracing green initiatives to protect the planet from the effects of climate change. Governments worldwide are implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions, encouraging sustainable practices in daily life and work. As a result, energy sectors in many countries are moving away from coal-based power and adopting greener alternatives, such as hydrogen. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) is expected to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Innovative technologies like Solar Photovoltaics (PV) panels, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) are transforming residential and commercial sectors into virtual power plants (VPPs). These systems enable energy self-sufficiency while significantly reducing carbon footprints. To accelerate this green transition, developers and property owners require systems that streamline access to Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and facilitate carbon credit trading. Additionally, enabling Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading will empower users. An AI-powered platform that predicts energy usage, offers traceability, and personalizes energy insights is essential to meet these evolving demands. (183 words) Lower Electricity Bills and Reduced Carbon Emissions: Optimize energy use with advanced AI to significantly cut electricity costs and lower your carbon footprint. Additional Revenue Streams: Generate extra income by trading excess energy and participating in carbon credit trading, capitalizing on your renewable energy assets. Comprehensive and User-Friendly Platform: Enjoy an easy-to-use platform for monitoring and managing distributed energy resources (Solar PV, EV chargers, BESS), unlike standalone Solar PV or EV charger systems that only offer energy monitoring. Green Initiatives, Energy Sustainability, Renewable Energy Certificates, Carbon Credit Trading, Peer-To-Peer Energy Trading, Energy Traceability and Personalization Infocomm, Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Sensor, Network, Power Conversion, Power Quality & Energy Management, Green ICT, Smart Cities, Sustainability, Sustainable Living

The technology on offer are three types of specialised polyolefin materials that can be utilized across various industries. These materials were developed to exhibit special properties such as excellent gas and moisture properties, good releasability and ability to impart a silicone-like water and oil repellence respectively. With these superior properties, the materials are suitable to be used in the development of different applications across various sectors. The first material is a co-polymer that combines the performance of polyolefin resins with amorphous resins. It features excellent moisture resistance, chemical resistance, and non-adhesive properties, making it ideal for use in medical packaging materials, such as press-through package (PTP) sheets that demand high moisture protection. The second material is a transparent, lightweight polymer with superior heat resistance and release properties. Its resistance to heat, chemicals, and its excellent release characteristics makes it a good alternative to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for industrial and food-related products requiring reliable release capabilities. The third material is an additive that enhances stain resistance, providing silicone-like water and oil repellency. As a non-fluorinated alternative to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), it is suitable for applications requiring waterproof and oil-repellent surfaces. The technology owner is seeking to collaborate with partners on the co-development of innovative applications using these specialised materials: Microfluid chips Medical tubes Filament for new synthetic fabric Main features of these specialised polyolefin materials are follows: Excellent moisture-proof properties, resistance to chemicals and non-attachment characteristics. Possible to be sterilised by gamma-rays and autoclave. Excellent heat resistance, release property and chemical resistance Exhibits superior waterproof and oil-repellent properties. Also compatible with other polyolefins Potential applications of these materials include: Micro fluid chips and medical packaging (plastics with gas and moisture barrier properties) Medical tubing as an alternative to PTFE (plastics with excellent releasability and chemical resistance properties) Filaments for new synthetic fabrics such as clothing and carpets (materials requiring waterproof and oil-repellent properties) Exhibits excellent properties against conventional thermoplastic materials e.g., gas and moisture barrier properties, good release capabilities, water and oil repellency Acts as safe and efficient alternatives to PTFE and PFAS (compounds that are harmful to humans and the environment) plastics, polymers, transparency, heat resistance, release ability, stain resistance, water repellency, anti-fouling, chemical resistance, gas permeability, gas barrier, microfluidic chip, filament, fabric, moisture barrier, PTFE alternative, PFAS alternative, waterproof, oil repellent, medical container, medical packaging, medical tube Materials, Plastics & Elastomers, Chemicals, Polymers, Organic, Additives

With the global population rapidly aging, the prevalence of dementia is becoming an increasing concern. As more elderly individuals suffer from cognitive decline, including memory loss and impaired daily functioning, the need for effective interventions is urgent. Dementia, a condition affecting many worldwide, not only diminishes the quality of life for patients but also places a heavy burden on caregivers and healthcare systems.  In response to these challenges, this solution offers a novel method to help dementia patients maintain cognitive function through engaging therapeutic activities. The solution is a cognitive stimulation system that leverages motion tracking and multi-sensory feedback to help users recall familiar actions from their daily lives. By recreating activities such as ironing or spreading jam, the device taps into procedural memory, allowing users to re-enact tasks they once performed regularly. This process stimulates recollection, helping to evoke personal memories and improve cognitive agility. The technology owner is interested to work with:  (1) companies to co-develop/ out-license the technology to help serve more patients and elderly; (2) healthcare facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes for validations and trials.  This solution integrates motor skill exercises with multi-sensory feedback to engage dementia patients through familiar activities, tapping into their procedural memory, and potentially slowing cognitive decline. Key features include: Handheld Motion-Tracking Tool: The device is equipped with a motion-tracking tool that detects and tracks gestures during therapy. Users interact with the tool by performing actions such as ironing or pounding peanuts. Accelerometer & Gesture Recognition: The system uses an accelerometer paired with machine learning algorithms to recognize different hand movements. This ensures real-time tracking and accurate interpretation of the user's gestures, helping simulate everyday activities. Visual & Audio Feedback: As users re-enact familiar activities, the system provides real-time visual and audio feedback on a paired device, such as a tablet. This feedback is designed to stimulate the senses, reinforcing memory recall and promoting greater cognitive engagement. Stimulating Procedural Memory: By focusing on routine tasks, the tool taps into procedural memory, which is responsible for motor skills and habit formation. This stimulation aids in improving recollection and mental agility over time. By offering repeated gestures and personalized feedback, it exercises mental agility. Sensorial Interaction: The combination of gesture-based exercises and multi-sensory stimulation (sight and sound) helps to improve alertness, tranquillity, and motivation during therapy, supporting overall mental and emotional well-being. This solution provides a non-invasive, engaging therapy option for dementia patients, offering caregivers and healthcare providers a simple yet effective solution for cognitive rehabilitation. This solution has broad applications across various domains, particularly in elder care, dementia therapy, and healthcare: Dementia and Elderly Care: The primary application of this technology is in elderly care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals that specialize in treating dementia patients. By facilitating autonomous cognitive therapy, it reduces the dependency on one-on-one interactions with therapists, allowing for more frequent and consistent therapy sessions that can be managed by caregivers or nurses. Home-Based Care for Seniors: As the aging population grows, home-based care becomes an important part of healthcare delivery. This tool enables families or home caregivers to provide engaging, therapeutic activities for dementia patients in their own homes, without the need for constant supervision by professional therapists. This platform can also be customised by therapists or healthcare professionals for various conditions and improve the well-being of other patients. This technology offers a unique value by fostering collaborative wellness between generations. It allows family members to actively participate in the therapy process through family-initiated activities and personalized scenarios, enhancing emotional connection and engagement with elderly relatives through gamification. This fun and interactive sessions are both therapeutic and enjoyable for the patient, bridging the gap between different generations. Additionally, the platform’s customization potential for therapists and allied health professionals enables it to be adapted for various conditions, making it a versatile solution for broader rehabilitation needs. By integrating motion-tracking and feedback technologies, the solution makes technology more accessible to the elderly, thereby increasing their comfort and interaction with modern tools.   Dementia, Healthcare, Cognitive Engagement, Gestures Based, Geriatric, Cognitive Impairment, Therapy, Elderly Infocomm, Interactive Digital Media & Multimedia, Healthcare, Telehealth, Medical Software & Imaging, Healthcare ICT

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious and common complication of diabetes, often leading to infections, amputations, and prolonged hospitalizations. Even with current standard of care, treatment of DFUs is still challenging, and may not always prevent severe outcomes. This therapy system integrates advanced wound management techniques, focusing on enhancing wound healing, off-loading pressure from vulnerable areas, and improving infection control. Traditional treatments lack comprehensive solutions for wound healing enhancement, pressure off-loading, and effective infection control. This therapy system combines these features into a single solution, offering accelerated healing while its integrated disinfection mechanism helps manage infections with ease. The therapy system is efficient and user-friendly, suitable for deployment in various healthcare settings. Ideal collaboration partners include medical device manufacturers, wound care specialists, and healthcare institutions focused on innovative treatment solutions. The technology includes a novel therapy system that integrates wound healing enhancement with pressure off-loading and advanced infection control mechanisms. It is designed to be easy to apply, providing significant improvements over traditional methods, particularly in treating chronic and complex foot wounds. The therapy system comprises of 2 key components: Foot cover system – enables off-loading and enhance,emt of wound healing Disinfection system – can be used to provide various types of medications for the treatment of different infections. It can help treat bacterial/ biofilms This technology is applicable within the healthcare industry, specifically for the treatment of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. It can be utilized in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialized wound care centres, offering a more effective solution for managing foot wounds and improving patient outcomes. A simplied device will be used for treatment at home without infection.  This therapy system presents a significant improvement over current treatment options by combining multiple critical aspects of wound care into one cohesive approach. Its design focuses on providing comprehensive care that includes: Enhanced wound healing, Effective pressure off-loading, and Superior infection control, setting it apart from existing technologies. Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Wound Healing, Infection Control, Advanced Wound Care Healthcare, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics

Globally, the post-harvest loss of tropical fruits due to short shelf life is estimated to be around 30-50% of total production. This translates to approximately 30 million tons of fruit wasted each year. The economic cost is substantial, amounting to billions of dollars annually, affecting producers, retailers, and consumers due to reduced availability and increased prices. Proliferation of fungal and bacterial population further adversely impact the shelf life and fruit health. Our innovation offers tailored, edible coating using regulatory approved ingredients specific to the fruit family and microbiomes observed in the farms. Tests conducted in labs and farms over the past two years have provided positive results for tropical fruits such as mango, avocado and papaya in doubling shelf life. This solution has multiple benefits to the stakeholders in the industry value chain. The farmer and aggregator can sell with better assurance to wider export markets and also charge a premium for fresher, tastier and longer lasting fruits. This also provides more time for retailers to sell the produce and to reduce dependency on cold storage and costly supply chain management. This innovation contributes significantly towards better food security and sustainability goals. The technology provider is seeking to conduct further trial with farmers, aggregators in Asia to enhance their solution. Our fruit coating technology utilises ingredients that are vegan, halal, and previously determined to be generally recognized as safe by regulators. These priviledged coatings extend shelf life by controlling water loss, texture deterioration, microbial growth, respiration (O2 and CO2 permeability throught the skin), and senescence processes (modification of internal atmosphere). The team works through the microbial dynamics at each stage of the supply chain, develops and validates region-specific targeted interventions, enhancing the efficacy of our coatings. In summary our solutions enable healthier, fresher and longer lasting tropical fruits through effective control over: Dehydration (We keep the water in to delay the fruit from drying out) Oxidation (We balance the gases movement) Microbial and pathogen growth (We make it difficult for bacteria, yeast, and mould to adversely impact shelf life) The technology provider is looking for collaborators such as retailers, aggregators, importers to farms, distributors and exporters. The technology provider is open for collaborations with like-minded individuals and organisations, specialising or concerned about food security and fruit wastage as a key pressing global challenge. Fruit postharvest processing; fresh agricultural products; fruit exports Widen supply chain options for importers, retail chains and wholesalers Exporters, aggregators or farmer to enable healthier longer lasting fruits for consumers who do not need to consume in a hurry. Nearly a third of the global fruits produced continue to end up in spoilages. Global trade combined for Avocado, mango and papaya exceeds $40b. This represents a significant global market opportunity for the solution, when by investing say 5% of the spends, 20 to 30% wasted spoilage can be saved. This presents an attractive global market potential for $100m potential revenue, considering a conservative 5% of market share*. In Asia alone, due to inadequate supply chains, cold storage and climatic conditions, the fruit losses are even higher. With increasing consumer awareness, fresh tropical fruits are also the most consumed fruits in Singapore and nearby regions. A couple of scenarios below depict the ground-up market potential, considering just for one fruit (papaya or avocado) in these countries.  This potential will only be enhanced further once the added benefits of reduced dependence on packaging, transportation and cold storage are considered.     Market for Papayas in Singapore S$37.1M Retailers’ potential savings from using our solution S$5.4 – 11.2 M   Market for Indonesian Avocados S$637 M Retailers’ potential savings from using our solution S$72 – 153 M Thus, starting off by addressing the challenges faced in Singapore and Asia, the adoption could be expanded for catering to global markets, leading to a multi-million potential in the years to come.  * Major Tropical Fruits: Market Review Preliminary Results (2023), FAO Technology: Our technology revolves around proprietary edible coatings derived from natural plant materials that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This innovative approach forms a protective film barrier around fruits, significantly protects the fruit from bacterial and fungal growth, and slows down water loss and oxidation—the primary causes of spoilage. Unlike competitors which do not tackle bacteria or fungal infection, limit efficacy or rely on additives or gases to regulate ethylene levels or employ specific packaging solutions, our technology is a one-step process in the supply chain. This unique technology preserves the natural freshness and quality of produce and reduces the need for refrigeration and synthetic preservatives, which can lower overall operational costs. Business Model: We aim to spin off this technology and will operate on a business-to-business (B2B) model, collaborating closely with growers, suppliers, and retailers across the food supply chain. We will generate revenue through licensing our technology and sell our proprietary coatings to partners, alongside providing consulting and integration services. This model allows the technology to scale its impact by embedding our technology directly into existing supply chain processes, optimizing efficiency and reducing food waste. Cost Efficiency: Our technology offers cost efficiency by extending the shelf life of produce without requiring extensive cold chain infrastructure or costly equipment. By reducing the frequency of spoilage and waste throughout the supply chain, we help partners save on losses associated with unsellable produce and logistical expenses related to cold storage and transport. This cost-effectiveness aligns with market demands for sustainable solutions. Fruit spoilage, Food loss, Shelf life extension, Supply chain de-risking, Food security, Environment sustainability Foods, Quality & Safety, Packaging & Storage, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Food Security

The plant-based abalone is designed and prepared with mung beans, which are rich in protein, but the mung bean protein is often treated as a side stream in the industry. The plant-based abalone contains protein content comparable to that of real abalone. It also contains enhanced nutrients such as essential fatty acids which can potentially play a key role in heart health, cancer prevention, cognitive function, skin health, and obesity prevention. In addition, when cooked, this plant-based abalone presents physical properties like the real abalone, at a fraction of the cost. The technology provider is working on larger scale trials to develop optimal methods for central kitchen operations and looking to collaborate with the food industry on R&D and also to license the technology. Affordable and cost-effective compared to real abalones Similar physical properties to real cooked abalones and stable at retort, frozen, thawed and cooked conditions Versatility of application, e.g.plant-based scallops The applications include but are not limited to: High-end Food in Traditional Festivals Cuisines in Central Kitchens, Bars, Restaurants and Hotels Canned Products Pre-Packaged Frozen Products Snacks (South East Asia) Comparable protein content with real abalone Clean label Affordable price Time-saving production (1/4 or 1/24 time of the growth time of abalone) as compared with cultured abalone Sustainable production valorising food by-products of mung bean protein Nutritious, Plant-based protein, Abalone, High protein, sustainable Foods, Ingredients, Quality & Safety, Sustainability, Food Security

The quality evaluation of crops like strawberries is currently conducted with simple methods such as the use of a saccharometer or colorimeter, or a laborious and time-consuming instrumental analysis. This technology is a simple and rapid method to analysis quantifiably various quality and functional components of agricultural crops including sugars, organic acids, amino acids, glucosinolates. One example is anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are compounds related to the color of plants. They also have beneficial effects on human health and are used as a supplement. Conventionally, the combination of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry is used to analyze anthocyanins. This method is not applicable in situ in the agricultural industry because of considerable time and work in the pretreatment of samples. Therefore, this technology can offer the agricultural industry a more convenient yet accurate way to perform quality evaluations of their crops on site. Researchers have used a technique called probe electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (PESI/MS/MS) to analyze anthocyanins in crops. PESI/MS/MS, which requires no pretreatment or separation and enables rapid analysis, has been adapted to plant metabolite analysis and succeeded in specifically detecting 81 anthocyanins from 16 types of vegetables and fruits in about 3 minutes each. Furthermore, by using the probe sampling method, in which a probe is inserted directly into the sample, specific anthocyanin molecular species can be detected in the local tissues of the achene and receptacle of mature strawberry fruit. This technology is expected to develop a simple and rapid analysis for components contained in a wide variety of plants, crops, and foods, and is expected to be applied in the fields of plant science, agriculture, and food science. Furthermore, this technology is expected to have a wide range of applications, including real-time analysis of metabolites in living plants. Since there are numerous molecular species of anthocyanins in plants, they can be applied to simple and rapid analytical techniques to distinguish molecular species in terms of crop breeding and consumption demand. By using PESI/MS/MS, the comprehensive analysis of not only anthocyanins but also various plant metabolites of crops (sugars, organic acids, amino acids, glucosinolates, etc.) and foods can be dramatically simplified and accelerated. There are no complicated extraction or separation procedures are required, and 81 anthocyanins can be analyzed in only 3 minutes. Anthocyanin, PESI/MS/MS, Real-time Analysis, Metabolite Analysis, Postharvest Crops, Quality Evaluation Chemicals, Analysis, Foods, Processes