MILI project key objective is to design and develop a novel method and prototype to detect, and in less than 10 minutes, a selected panel of common milk contaminants such as Aflatoxin-M1 and 2 antibiotics, namely Penicillin and Enrofloxacin, for analysis at the farm level and before loading contaminated milk on the truck. It is based on optical biosensors and can offer the analytical performance of laboratory-based methods, at a cost similar to that of quick screening tests. The system is composed of two basic elements: a) a functionalised smart cuvette, on which the biosensors are bound and b) a mini-fluorimeter setup that allows “reading” the biosensors and providing results to the users.

The primary target users are the ones in the beginning of the value chain, namely the farmers and the milk collectors/processors (dairy industries), since this is the point where aflatoxin and antibiotics are introduced in the milk.

The project is implemented under the programme of social cohesion ”Thalia2021-2027” co-funded by European Union, through Research and Innovation Foundation project number (EXCELLENCE /0421/0188).