Methanogen Detection Device and System and Method of Detecting Methanogen

A methanogen detection system, comprising:

• a sample inlet;
• a sample transport channel in fluid communication with the sample inlet;
• a capillary flow channel in fluid communication with the sample transport channel, the capillary flow channel configured to support flow of a sample comprising methanogens and each of the methanogens comprising Cofactor F420;
• a light source configured to produce a first light, the light source upstream to the capillary flow channel,
• wherein the Cofactor F420 of each of the methanogens absorbs the first light produced by the light source thereby resulting in excitation and relaxation of the Cofactor F420 of each of the methanogens, and
• wherein excitation and relaxation of the Cofactor F420 of each of the methanogens generates a second emission light from the Cofactor F420 of each of the methanogens;
• an optical filter downstream from the second emission light, wherein the optical filter is configured to transmit a band of the second emission light;
• a light detector downstream from the second emission light and the optical filter, wherein the light detector is configured to detect an intensity of the second emission light transmitted through the optical filter;
• and
• a computing device in communication with the light detector, wherein the computing device is configured to generate a concentration of the methanogens in the sample based on the intensity of the second emission light detected by the light detector.