A method and apparatus is provided for detection of volatile products from
a sample using a transducer which changes voltage as a function of contact
of the volatile products with the transducer to produce a gas signature of
the volatile products and a spectrophotometer to analyze the volatile
products to produce a spectral footprint of the volatile products. The
apparatus and method are used to detect spoilage of a biological material,
such as a food. The apparatus is also used to detect microorganisms and by
comparing the gas signature and spectral footprint to a library of gas
signatures and spectral footprints, the apparatus enables identification
of the microorganisms and in particular identification of pathogenic
microorganisms.
