Claims:We Claim:

1. A system for detecting adulteration in a food item, comprising:
• a portable device having atleast one light emitting source to incident light on food item and a plurality of detectors for detecting reflected light;
• a means for analyzing the detected light; and
• a means for displaying the analyzed data.

2. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group of Near infrared spectrum (NIR), Visible light spectrum (VIS) and Ultraviolet spectrum (UV).

3. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device is selected from either a point analysis device (100) or a bulk analysis device (200).

4. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the point analysis device(100) comprises:
• a plurality of light emitting source (101);
• a hollow enclosure (102) for encasing plurality of filters;
• an ON/OFF switch (103) for operating the portable device;
• a holder (104) attached behind the hollow enclosure (102) for support; and
• a base (105) for embedding electronic components.

5. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 4, wherein the point analysis device is a hand held device.
6. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 4, wherein the point analysis device comprises a data transfer module for transmitting data analyzed through artificial intelligence based software module.
7. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bulk analysis device(200) comprises:

• a base (201) encasing plurality of light emitting source (205);
• a fixed housing (202);
• a retractable housing (203); and
• a handle (204) for holding the portable device (200).
8. The system for detecting adulteration in a food item as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electronic components are encased in the base (201) of the device.
9. A method for detecting adulteration in a food item through the system as claimed in claim 1,comprising the following steps:
• emitting the light through light source on the food item;
• capturing the light refracted from the food item;
• analyzing the light spectrum for food adulteration;
• transferring the analyzed data to the display module; and
• indicating the user regarding the authenticity of the food item.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a portable device for testing food authenticity. Particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for checking food adulteration through a portable device and further utilizing an artificial intelligence based software module for analysing the data obtained during testing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] These days, the problem of dangerous food due to contamination or adulteration has aggravated and broadened for the average consumer. There are numerous cases of unintentional and intentional contamination of food. To increase the amount of profit and extend food sales quantity cheap and dangerous additives are being incorporated in the food items. For e.g., injection of water in meat or fish to increase the weight, mixing of salts or spice powder, sweetening wine by anti-freezing agent or sale of recycled oil as frying oils are few of the cases to report. An increasing number of these food falsifications or adulterations are detected using conventional methods at laboratories that consume time and money per test to be conducted. Those working within and associated with the food industry strive for user friendly methods to detect food fraud and contamination, fast and high screening methods for the analysis of food in general. The task of deciding which analytical method is suitable to collect and analyse within complex food supply chains is more challenging.

[003] Spectroscopy is a non-destructive analysis technique that enables the identification of material composition using absorption and emission of an incoherent light that hits the surface. The reflected light brings some more information apart from colour. If we illuminate a material with white light (visible spectrum frequencies) and it reflects only violet light it means all other frequencies have absorbed. The set of frequencies that an object or item holds is called absorbed spectrum and it becomes the unique identifier of the material itself. The sample absorbs the energy from source and the intensity of absorption varies with frequency with incident electromagnetic spectrum.

[004] The spectroscopy gives a detailed information about the composition of C-H, N-H and O-H bonds of the sample under test. As the composition of many products in agriculture and food are relying on this technique, a relationship between the component of interest in both solid and liquid sample is carried out. The amount of absorption is related to chemical bond of molecule. The bond among the atoms of material or sample under test will vibrate, the higher state of excitement requires more energy. Different molecules vibrate and excite to next level is different under different light wavelength and this variation in energy is seen as a spectrum and provides the information to analyse the type of molecule in the samples of food.

[005] The main drawback of the conventional system is that they are bulky in size and require step by step processing for completion of a task which is very time taking and thereby decreases the efficiency of the conventional system.

[006] The rising awareness of consumers is striving to obtain a reliable, rapid, non-destructive, and non-invasive technique for maturity determinations during harvesting and packaging processes of the food items. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable device for food quality determination.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[007] A primary object of the present invention is to determine food adulteration using a portable spectroscopy device for rapid detection.

[008] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable spectroscopy device for collecting the food adulteration data and analyzing the same through artificial intelligence based software module.

[009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a web application for the users to access the data (i.e., freshness of the food item, expiration date etc.) related to any food item.

[010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a food adulteration detection method using sensors that operate in combination of UV region, visible region and NIR region for an advanced analysis of functional compounds of the food.

[011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a multi target food sensitive portable device for on spot quality testing of food and its shelf life prediction which includes early signs of food spoilage, food fraud and freshness quality tests.

[012] Another objective of the present invention is to detect food fraud in various grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish, and estimate the expiration of product for helping in processing the food item in the food supply chain.

[013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to place the sensors at optimum position with the design of device in such a way that instead of a spot or point analysis an array of points is selected to improve the analysis of the food from the conventional methods.

[014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a device that is utilized in supply chain management by online service providers and shipping industry that can be extended to other industries such as pharma and medical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[015] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof and in which:
[016] Figure 1 illustrates that the food supply chain management;

[017] Figure 2 illustrates the general principle of operation of spectroscopy for absorption;

[018] Figure 3 illustrates processing of light spectrum when incident on the food item;

[019] Figure 4 and 5 illustrates a point analysis based portable device of the present invention;
[020] Figure 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a bulk analysis based portable device of the present invention;

[021] Figure 10 illustrates the working module of the present invention;

[022] Figure 11 illustrates the Integrated chip (IC) embedded in the portable devices of the present invention;

[023] Figure 12 illustrate the general working of the present invention; and

[024] Figure13 illustrates the application of the present invention in various industries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[025] The present invention relates to a portable device for testing food authenticity with non-destructive techniques and has an artificial intelligence based software module for analysis of the data obtained during testing. The data set after the analysis is transferred to the web application for the user to monitor the authenticity of the food items accordingly. The portable device provides onsite detection of various food adulteration for example fruits, vegetables, meat, and grains. The technique adopted is spectroscopy in combination with ultra-violet (UV) wavelength, visible light spectrum (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) wavelength for a detailed chemical composition analysis of the food items. The portable device not only provides a point source analysis but also a complete food product analysis from various angles giving us abundant data to analyse the samples under test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[026] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system and method can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[027] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[028] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[029] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[030] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[031] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[032] The present invention utilizes a spectroscopy technique for detection of the chemical bonds and based on the results obtained from the spectrometer the predictive analysis is carried out using artificial intelligence based system for appropriate estimation of food quality which is later integrated in a web application for further processing. In the present invention a common platform is provided for detection of food adulteration for both solid and liquid samples. Figure 1 illustrates that the food supply chain needs to be managed from the time it is harvested to the point it reaches the consumer. Therefore, there is a need to check the shelf life of perishable products and forward them in the supply chain at the earliest to avoid spoilage and wastage of food. Optical based analytical devices do not require sample preparation and can perform testing of food items within seconds for data acquisition and analysis for determining freshness of fruits and vegetables including grains and meat.

[033] The block diagram illustrated in Figure 2 explains the general principle of operation of spectroscopy for absorption in a conventional system. The item under the test is illuminated with a source of light and the reflected light from the object is captured. An electromagnetic beam with angular opening as a slit and with the use of filter a particular wavelength of light is passed through it. The source can be an LED operating in UV region (200 nm to 800 nm.), Visible region (400–750?nm) and NIR region (750–2500?nm). Further, catching and recording the reflected light with photodiodes provides the measure of intensity over the wavelength.

[034] The present invention relates to a system for detecting adulteration in a food item comprising:
• a portable device having atleast one light emitting source to incident light on food item and a plurality of detectors for detecting reflected light;
• a means for analyzing the detected light; and
• a means for displaying the analyzed data.

[035] In the present invention the light source is selected from the group of Near infrared spectrum (NIR), Visible light spectrum (VIS) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. It is being utilized to analyse bulky, high moisturizing samples such as fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, and meat. Figure 3 illustrates that the light is incident on the samples allowing the composition to be analyzed through its spectra, this technique along with all the three sources provides a detailed information. The NIR spectrum has the potential to identify carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrients, Enzymes, amino acids, emulsifiers, fats and fat replacers, preservatives, stabilizers, binders, sweeteners, and sugar replacements. While dealing with large quantities of food, it requires a supply chain and forward planning to ensure the right goods and quantities are available on time. Further, foods that have a limited shelf life needs to be consumed earlier.

[036] In the present invention two portable devices have been utilized i.e., one for testing food items in bulk i.e., bulk analysis portable device and another for testing few samples i.e., point analysis portable device. Both the devices are capable of testing both solid and liquid samples as the plurality of light sources used in the present invention provides a complete detailed analysis. The system for indicating food adulteration includes a portable device utilizing a spectroscopy technique for emitting and capturing the incident light; a storage device for storing the data related to the light spectrum; a data transfer module for transmitting data; an integrated chip for processing the electronic components; a software module for analyzing the transferred data; a display module for displaying the analyzed data. The portable devices have application in shipping Industry, Hotels, Grocery shops, inspection of food organization, Pharma Industry.

[037] Figures 4 and 5 illustrates a portable device of the present invention that works on point analysis. The portable device comprises the following components i.e.,
• a plurality of light emitting source (101);
• a hollow enclosure (102) for encasing filters;
• an ON/OFF switch (103) for operating the portable device;
• a holder (104) for attached behind the hollow enclosure (102) for support; and
• a base (105) for embedding electronic components.

[038] As per a preferred embodiment the plurality of light emitting source (101) points at the sample undertest for few seconds and the information from the sample under test is collected through an absorption and transmittance spectrum that is further analysed using artificial intelligence based software module and displayed in a user friendly manner to the user onto a display device having web application or a personalized application. The plurality of light emitting source are mounted on the top of hollow enclosure (102). Further, the hollow enclosure (102) is of an approximate dimension 18-20 cm and comprises light filters. The hollow enclosure may be but not limited to circular, rectangular, hexagonal shape etc. Further, the holder (104) is attached behind the hollow enclosure (102) for providing support to the device. The holder (104) also has an ON/OFF button embedded on its outer surface to operate the device. The portable device (100) further includes a base (105) for encasing electronic components. The electronic components comprises an integrated circuit chip, a plurality of light detector, a plurality of data analysing means, plurality of data transfer module which may preferably include a Bluetooth module or WIFI setup for transferring the data to a display module. The base (105) is integrated at the back of the hollow enclosure (104). The base has an approximate size of 8-10 cm2. The base is engraved with holes so as to embed the light sources and the reflected light is also captured through this interface itself and the processed data is sent to the display module. The display module comprises of any hand held smart device capable of transferring and receiving data and may have a web application embedded in the module for the user to view the authenticity of the food. To cater to the various needs of the sample under test, artificial intelligence based software module is utilized extensively to predict the freshness of food items. The artificial intelligence based software module is embedded in a data processing/analysing means. The data processing/analysing means may be a controller. Further the controller may be any microprocessor, microcontroller etc. suitable for incorporation in the present system. This hand held portable device can be designed with any smaller or bigger dimensions to carry out for onsite testing at warehouses of grocery centres as per the requirement.

[039] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention Figures 6 and 7 illustrate bulk testing portable device (200). The device includes the following components:
• a base (201) encasing plurality of light emitting source (205);
• a fixed housing (202);
• a retractable housing (203); and
• a handle (204) for holding the portable device (200).

[040] As per an embodiment the electronic components are embedded in a custom 3D printed enclosure for safety and industry ready standards in the base (201) of the present invention. It is utilized for testing of bulk samples such as grains and meat in huge quantities. Some of the food items for example testing of green leafy vegetables and Okra is not possible using the point analysis kind of portable device (100) for the purpose of bulk testing portable device (200) is utilized. The device of the present invention includes a base (201) with an approximate inner diameter of 15 cm and as it reaches upwards it is 25 cm in diameter. The shape of the base of the present invention may not be limited to circular, rectangular, square shape etc. Further, a housing is mounted on the rim of the base (201). The housing is divided into two parts firstly a fixed housing (202) fixed on half rim of the base at one end. Secondly, the retractable housing (203) is fixed on another half rim of the base (201) at another end. The housing is provided to cover the food items placed on the base for testing. Further the base (201) incorporates various electronic components i.e., a plurality of light sources, a plurality of filter, a plurality of light detector, a data processing/analysing means, an integrated circuit chip, a data transferring module i.e., Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth module to transfer the data obtained. Further, the plurality of light sources (205) are placed at four different positions along the circumference of the base (201) so that the data is obtained from all the angles. The device (200) further includes a handle (204) is attached on the fixed housing (202) for holding the device (200) as illustrated in Figure 8. In an exemplary embodiment the height of fixed housing (202) is 15 cm and is mounted on the base container. It has a support to hold the device. Further, Figure 9 illustrates the retractable housing (203) for sliding it above the base container. Once the housing is closed, the device starts to test its sample. The processed data of the sample food item is sent to the display module. The data is processed through the artificial intelligence based software module incorporated in a data processing/analysing means. The data processing/analysing means may be a controller. Further the controller may be any microprocessor, microcontroller etc. suitable for incorporation in the present system. The display module comprises of any hand held smart device capable of transferring data and may also have web application embedded in the module for the user to view the authenticity of the food.

[041] As shown in Figure 10, both the portable devices incorporate an IC AS7263 NIR spectral sensor utilized for measuring six different infrared bands i.e., (610, 680, 730, 760, 810, and 860nm). The reflectance measurements are obtained and transmitted via Bluetooth/WIFI or other wireless or infrared technology to the system wherein the data can be correlated to the degree of ripeness, freshness of fruits, vegetables, and meat also. This integrated sensor that operates in three regions provides the results that are transferred through a device having wireless connectivity to the system for further processing of data.

[042] In an embodiment the AS7263 NIR sensor is used to measure the spectral reflectance of samples i.e., reflectance measurements obtained at six different wavelengths. The various wavelengths for analysing the adulteration of the food item are R - 610nm; S - 680nm; T - 730nm; U - 760nm; V - 810nm; W - 860nm. The result from the sensor shows that the infrared reflectance decreases with higher degrees of values across all tested wavelengths. For e.g., for finding the degree of roast of coffee bean, the wavelength with the greatest variation in accordance with degree of roast was found to be 860nm. The system of the present invention provides a quick and easy to use data for the offline measurement of the degree of roast of coffee beans. Therefore, data obtained from this sensor will provide coffee roasters an additional method of quality control by ensuring no repeatable roasts and thereby reducing human error.

[043] In an exemplary embodiment Figure 11 illustrates AS7265X which is a spectroscopy Integrated chip (IC) and has inside it three other ICs i.e., AS72651, AS72652 and AS72653, each having six channel and hence the spectroscopy IC has total eighteen channels. A spectroscopy sensor is a powerful optical inspection sensor also known as a spectrophotometer. Three AS7265x spectral sensors are combined alongside a visible, UV, and IR LEDs to illuminate and test various surfaces for light spectroscopy. The spectroscopy sensor is made up of three sensors i.e., AS72651, AS72652, and AS72653 and detects light from 410nm (UV) to 940nm (IR). In addition, eighteen individual light frequencies can be measured with precision down to 28.6 nW/cm2 and accuracy of +/-12%. Three chip set delivering 18 VIS and NIR channels from 410nm to 940nm each with 20nm Full-Width Half-Maximum (FWHM). Integrated microcontroller on chip and low power consumption. Therefore, there are two integrated LED drivers per sensor. AS72651, in order to serve as master, utilizes the built-in flash memory. Depending on its physical properties, matter will either allow the light to pass or absorb some or all of its frequencies. It is a combination of three individual sensors that provides Visible light (VL): AS72651; Ultraviolet light (UV): AS72652; Near-infrared light spectrum (NIR): AS72653. Each sensor has a dedicated LED adjacent to it and when combined they form a triad.These onboard LED’s are powerful enough to illuminate nearby objects and reflect back the light. However, the external LED’s can also be utilized for a greater level of reflected/incident light frequencies.

[044] In an embodiment the system of the present invention is suitable for incorporating either the conventional technique components as illustrated in figure 2 for analyzing the adulteration in any food item or the new technique components discussed herein. The conventional technique may include plurality of light source, filters, monochromator, diffraction grating, mirrors etc. The food item under the test is illuminated with a source of light and the reflected light from the object is captured. An electromagnetic beam with angular opening as a slit and with the use of filter a particular wavelength of light is passed through it. Further, catching and recording the reflected light with photodiodes provides the measure of intensity over the wavelength.

[045] The method for evaluating the adulteration of a food item through the system of the present invention comprises of the following steps:
i. emitting the light through plurality of light source on the food item;
ii. capturing the light refracted from the food item;
iii. analyzing the light spectrum for food adulteration;
iv. transferring the analyzed data to display module; and
v. indicating the user regarding the authenticity of the various food item.

[046] Figure 12 illustrates a block diagram indicating the general working of the present invention. Further, Figure 13 illustrates the application of portable devices of the present invention in various industries for example in shipping Industry, Hotels, Grocery shops, inspection of food organization, Pharma Industry.

[047] The advantages of the system of the present invention are discussed herein:
• a portable spectroscopy device is provided for collecting the food adulteration data and analyzing the same through artificial intelligence based software module.

• it utilizes a large range from visible light (VIS), (UV) Ultraviolet and Near Infrared spectrum for a detailed analysis;

• the method and the device principle are utilized in two configurations-portable hand held device and a bench top to address the need of all the different types of food items to be tested; and

• a display module is provided for the user to view the data related to the authenticity of the food item.

[048] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred aspects, which have been set forth in considerable details for the purpose of making a disclosure of the invention, such aspects are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the claims incorporated in the complete specification. Further, it will be apparent to those skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the principles of the invention.