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Find, identify, and quantify mycotoxin-producing fungi on corn, using a non-destructive hyperspectral imaging system. Produce spectral libraries for fungi of interest to the grain industry. Determine spectral differences between different corn varieties, resistant and susceptible to mycotoxin contamination and infected and non-infected with mycotoxin producing fungi. Find, identify, and quantify mycotoxins on grains, using a non-destructive hyperspectral imaging system. Test system's effectiveness in laboratory and field situations.
Corn kernel varieties with varying levels of resistance to mycotoxin producing fungi will be collected and imaged using a tabletop hyperspectral scanning imaging system. Kernels will be spectrally analyzed to determine how much the spectra in UV, visible, and near infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum differs from one corn variety to another. Cultures of mycotoxin producing (those of the most concern to the industry) and non-producing fungi will also be imaged and the spectral fingerprints will be collected to produce a "spectral library" of the different fungi. These data will be used to determine if hyperspectral imaging can then be used to differentiate and quantitate the varying fungal strains and/or their mycotoxin production both in pure fungal culture and in fungally infected kernels from corn varieties either resistant or susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Techniques also will be investigated during ongoing experiments to determine the best imaging environment in which to accomplish hyperspectral analyses, such as type and direction of lighting. Once appropriate algorithms are developed, the system will be tested in various laboratory and field experiments to determine the efficacy of the system. Test system's effectiveness in laboratory and field situations.