Method and device for detecting biological molecules and/or microorganisms within a desired area or space

A method of determining whether foodstuffs have become contaminated with foodstuff-contaminating bacteria comprising the steps of:

• a) illuminating the foodstuff with light of a suitable wavelength to excite at least some of the naturally occurring fluorescent biological molecules produced by foodstuff-contaminating bacteria, said suitable wavelength being about 300 nm;
• b) measuring the resultant fluorescence from the illuminated foodstuff at at least one wavelength in the range of 340 to 580 nm;
• and
• c) comparing the resultant fluorescence from the illuminated foodstuff to appropriate standards.

A method for monitoring a change in the concentration of microorganisms present within a given area or space, the microorganisms containing naturally occurring fluorescent biological molecules, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) illuminating the area or space with light of a suitable wavelength to excite at least some of the naturally occurring fluorescent biological molecules present within the microorganisms, said light having a wavelength of approximately 300 nm;
• (b) detecting the resultant fluorescence from the desired area or space;
• (c) illuminating the area or space again with light of said suitable wavelength to excite at least some of the naturally occurring fluorescent biological molecules present within the microorganisms;
• (d) detecting again the resultant fluorescence from the desired area or space;
• and
• (e) comparing the fluorescence detected in steps (b) and (d).

A method for monitoring a change in the concentration of fluorescent biological molecules within a given area or space, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) illuminating the area or space with light of a suitable wavelength to excite the fluorescent biological molecules, said light having a wavelength of approximately 300 nm;
• (b) detecting the resultant fluorescence from the desired area or space;
• (c) illuminating the area or space again with light of said suitable wavelength to excite the fluorescent biological molecules;
• (d) detecting again the resultant fluorescence from the desired area or space;
• and
• (e) comparing the fluorescence detected in steps (b) and (d).