Scentian Bio, headquartered in Auckland, leverages its patented insect olfactory receptor-based biosensors to aid in determining the ideal harvest time for kiwifruit. This initiative is supported by the Zespri Innovation Fund, a $2 million annual fund aimed at fostering innovation and enhancing climate resilience within Zespri's operations. The startup emerged from the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research in 2021 under the guidance of founder and CTO Dr. Andrew Králíček.
Current maturity assessments in kiwifruit cultivation rely on Brix and dry matter testing. However, Scentian Bio employs volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements, presenting a nuanced approach to assessing fruit maturity. "We started working with Zespri last year. The general ambition is to access metabolic information about the fruit the whole way through the supply chain," stated Scentian Bio CEO Jonathan Good.
The technology enables growers to pinpoint harvest times, ensuring optimal shelf life and quality. "We've been able to identify a number of key compounds through the maturation process to point to when it's the optimal time to harvest," Good remarked. Scentian Bio intends to replace the traditional lab-based Brix and dry matter methods with real-time, orchard-based testing.
Insect olfactory receptors, as explained by Králíček, have a natural sensitivity to various VOCs, including those indicative of kiwifruit maturation. "There's all this metabolic information that is just sitting there and changes as the fruit matures or when you put it in storage," he added.
By tracking VOC profiles, the technology facilitates better decision-making in the supply chain. This process involves a combination of receptors to identify and differentiate between complex chemical compounds. Scentian Bio's approach employs a predictive AI model to enhance this identification process.
With initial applications in the food sector, Scentian Bio is also exploring potential in pest detection and disease diagnostics. The startup is engaged in trials with five global food companies and holds a grant from the Gates Foundation to develop solutions targeting tuberculosis and malaria.
Source: AgFunderNews