As with any profitable industry, the whisky market is subject to fraudulent activity, including adulteration. An expert can identify the differences between whiskies, but it is difficult for the majority of consumers to differentiate fraudulent beverages. Complex chemical and analytical analyses have been able to detect the differences between whiskies; however, this type of analysis is time-consuming, complex, requires trained professionals, and can only be conducted in the laboratory. A rapid and real-time assessment of whisky quality could prove beneficial to wholesalers and consumers. The odour of whiskies can be used to identify their brands, regions and styles, as thus has the potential for quality assessment and fraudulent detection. One type of technology used for real-time odour analysis is an electronic nose (e-nose). This study investigates the capability of a new e-nose prototype (called NOS.E) developed by our team to identify the differences between six whiskies with respect to their brand names, regions, and styles. This study investigates the capability of a new e-nose prototype (called NOS.E) developed by our team in identifying the differences among whiskies. Ensemble of several classifiers is adopted to improve the classification accuracy of the system. The proposed e-nose solution was verified by a field testing displayed at the CEBIT Australia 2019 trade show, by reaching an accuracy of 96.15%, 100%, and 92.31% in brand name, region, and style classification, respectively. Confirmation of the NOS.E findings was further carried out using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC $\times $ GC-TOFMS).

Globally, the rapid decline in wildlife species has many causes. The illegal trafficking of fauna and flora is a major contributor to species decline and continues to grow at an alarming rate. To enable the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illegal wildlife, accurate and reliable identification is paramount. Traditionally, morphology and DNA amplification are used. This paper investigates a novel application of volatilome profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time of flight mass spectrometry for wildlife sample detection. Known samples of elephant-derived ivory, other dentine samples, and bone (a common ivory substitute) were used as reference samples for volatilome profiling. Subsequently, specimens that were suspected ivory from border control seizures were obtained and analysed. Confirmatory DNA analyses were conducted on seized samples to establish the reliability parameters of volatilome profiling. The volatilome method correctly identified six of the eight seized samples as elephant ivory, which was confirmed through DNA analysis. There was also clear distinction of African elephant ivory parts from the bone and dentine samples from other species, as shown through PCA and discriminant analyses. These preliminary results establish volatilome profiling through GC×GC-TOFMS as a novel screening method used for the identification of unknown wildlife contraband.

Two cyanobacterial strains, one collected from an epidermal mat present on a dead bottlenose dolphin and the other as a bioaerosol 457 m (1500 ft) above the river, were recently analysed from the St. Johns River, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Both samples had major phenotypic plasticity which confused morphological identification. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from the isolates revealed that both samples were closely aligned (branch bootstrap support = 100%) with the recently erected genus Komarekiella. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic construction also supported the isolation of a new species of cyanobacteria branching from the Nostoc clade. A total evidence approach of molecular, genetic, and ecological examination of these strains supported the erection of a new species, Komarekiella delphini-convector. A prior study determined that the dolphin with the epidermal mat had low levels of microcystins/nodularins (MCs/NODs) in the hepatic tissue. To investigate whether these toxins originated from the epidermal mat, immunoassay (ELISA) and 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB) techniques were conducted on the original mat and subsequent culture samples. The results from both analyses were not conclusive. Genome mining was conducted and revealed diverse biosynthetic capabilities of this species but could not support toxin-producing potential. Further analytical work is required to determine the pathogenic capacity of this epizoic species.