PRECISE project develops electronic nose to detect meat and fish spoilage

The PRECISE project, a German-Danish Interreg collaboration, has developed an electronic nose designed to detect the spoilage of meat and fish in real time. The device functions by measuring the concentration of cadaverine, a specific gas produced during the decomposition of organic proteins.

By providing an objective, data-driven assessment of freshness, the technology aims to replace subjective sensory checks and generic expiration dates. This could significantly reduce food waste in the retail and gastronomy sectors, where edible products are often discarded prematurely.

The system integrates modern sensor technology with data analysis and artificial intelligence. Developed by a consortium including the University of Southern Denmark, Technische Hochschule Lübeck, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Microsystems, the tool is intended for practical use in food retail and restaurants to monitor actual shelf life.