Determinator
About this product
In short- Faster and objective identification
- Visual support through illustrations
- Pollen, starch & ragwort module available
Do you know that a lot of ingredients in animal feed or in food can be recognised visually or by using a microscope? Determinator is an expert system that assists in the recognition of an ingredient in feeds or other mixtures. Determinator has been developed by Wageningen Environmental Research and Wageningen Food Safety Research.
Determinator is an example of a category of computer programs that is called Expert systems. These programs organise knowledge (expertise) and provide possibilities to apply this knowledge in a practical way. Expert systems disseminate the results of scientific research to practical applications. Databases as such are not examples of Expert systems, although these systems include some type of databases or datamodels. The key issues are the reorganisation of results into knowledge, and an easy accessibility for users.
Process
Determinator assists the user in determining or identifying an object (pollen grain, plant). A final conclusion is reached by entering answers to questions associated to the objects included in the dataset used. A match is calculated between the object as described by the user and each of the targets included in the chosen dataset. The process of determining an object is supported by the possibilities to browse, filter, select and search the included targets, to give an overview of all illustrations, and to compare two included objects in every combination.
Developing your own documentation
Determinator runs on Windows 7 and higher. A very useful function is the possibility to develop documentation files of already performed identifications. An extensive help system and a manual is present.
Starch determination
More information
The identification of pollen grains from air samples are at the basis of the elaboration of weekly pollen bulletins, an important source of information for persons suffering from allergic reactions. hay fever symptoms. At the same time, the process of identification of the relevant pollen types relies heavily on the experience of the laboratory technician.
Wageningen Food Safety Research has developed a special module for identification of 96 different types of pollen grains, called Aeropol 1.0. This goal was achieved in close cooperation with the Biological Laboratory of the Environment Protection Agency of Bolzano and the Palaeoecology group of the Department Physical Geography of Utrecht University. This expert system will facilitate and ease the work of experts and can be used for training purposes.
Application
The system could be of particular interest for hospitals, weather forecast bureaus and meteorological institutes publishing pollen bulletins and pollen calendars. In a broader framework, the system offers an overview of different pollen types originating from a large range of botanic orders and families, which could facilitate research in several areas, such as:
- forensic science;
- melissopalynology;
- copropalynology;
- palaeopalynology
Installation
The program Determinator need to be downloaded and installed as first step before installing the module Aeropol. A manual for installation is available.
Starch is part of a large range of products, such as all kinds of meals and food products, feeds, and materials for industrial use or home maintenance, like adhesive (wall paper), textile finishing (stiffing), paper ingredient, etc.
A Starch Identification System (version 3.0) was developed in order to pinpoint starch varieties in food, feed and other products. The system assists in the identification of natural types as well as in the recognition of several modifications of starch. Light microscopy was selected as principal method for examination.
Installation
The program Determinator need to be downloaded and installed as first step before installing the module Starch. A manual for installation is available.
Ragwort and related plants are known for causing serious illness problems in farmed animals. Wageningen Food Safety Research and Wageningen Environmental Research have developed a computer programme that supports the user to discriminate between ragwort species and a range of other yellow-flowering plants.
Harvesting strategy
The purpose of the system is to provide a tool for deciding upon optimal management strategies of road side verges and meadow areas. With this program, Wageningen Food Safety Research will contribute to the safety of roughage for farmed animals. The tool can support managers of road sides and meadows, bee-keepers for choosing optimal harvesting areas, in nature management, and in education. A demonstration version for Ragwort identification in English is available.
Answering questions
A yellow-flowering plant can be identified by answering a series of questions. Furthermore, the system allows to compare different plant species among each other and allows browsing in the database with descriptions and images.
Installation
The program Determinator need to be downloaded and installed as first step before installing the module Ragwort. A manual for installation is available.
Download Determinator?
Would you like to download Determinator (or one of its modules)? Please contact our expert.
JBGM (Bruno) Hedemann
DLO HBO Onderzoeker