Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in food processing and food supply chain

A portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of analyte within a food processing test sample composition, the system comprising:

• an optical assembly unit, the optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit;
• and
• a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing and removed after one or more uses, the cartridge system comprising:
• an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the food processing test sample composition;
• a flow cell wafer;
• and
• a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.