SBIR-STTR Award

Collaborators at VerraGlo LLC and the University of Kentucky have discovered manganese-dopednanocrystals that possess artificial peroxidase activity and emit luminescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Luminescence emissions chemically stimulated from the peroxidase mechanism are proportional to the hydroperoxide content of samples (R2 > 0.98 using commercially available luminometers). The VerraGlo test medium will introduce a novel methodfor analyzing hydroperoxides which will initially focus on edible fats & oils. Throughout the food industry fats and oils must be continually tested to meet product specifications and assure quality. The industry standard for measuring Peroxide Values (PV) is an iodometric titration that requires laboratory glassware the use of flammable and toxic solvents that are expensive to purchase and dispose after use takes about 15 minutes to conduct suffers from lack of sensitivity and poor endpoint determination and requires trained personnel (AOCS Official Method Cd 8b-90). The current VerraGlo assay that uses light-emitting crystals (LEC) with peroxidase activity can measure PV in about 5 minutes with an existing commercially available handheld luminometer. The method uses no laboratory glassware no solvents and no cleanup; the sample vial is disposable. Each assay requires only 20 mg of LEC and 0.4 milliliters of oil. One of the largest food processing and commodities trading companies in the world Archer Daniels Midland has provided a strong letter of support (included in this proposal).ADM alone processes over 50000 metric tons per day of vegetable oils which have to be tested at multiple steps in the process for “peroxide value”.

Collaborators at VerraGlo LLC and the University of Kentucky have patented foundational technology for metal-phosphate luminophores (MPL) that emit luminescence proportional to the hydroperoxide content of edible fats & oils using commercially available luminometers (r-square greater than 0.98).This project will continue to build upon the technological advances made during the SBIR Phase I project by working closely with industrial collaborators customers and non-profit scientific association to provide a sound and economical basis for replacing the existing iodometric titration method for measuring peroxide value (PV) in edible fats and oils. This project closely aligns in the SBIR Topic area "Food Science and Nutrition (8.5).Edible fats and oils exhibit inherent susceptibility to oxidation leading to rancidity. The VerraGlo MPL sensor technology will be a key component of a sustainable edible fats & oils industry by eliminating the toxic solvents used in the currently available assays for PV. The VerraGlo MPL sensor material/assay will provide a more convenient and less expensive technique thus minimizing waste. Industry strategic partners and potential customers have provided strong letters of support (included in this proposal).Archer Daniels Midland Co. alone processes over 50000 metric tons per day of vegetable oils which have to be tested at multiple steps in the process for "peroxide value". Other edible oil processors (e.g. Benson Hill Seed Company Cargill Hunt Wesson Humko Bunge) and food processors (e.g. Nestl© Pepsico Kraft Kellogg´s ConAgra and Tyson Foods) are potential customers. VerraGlo LLC presents a strong commercialization plan as part of this Phase II proposal.