A laser-based technology being developed at Adelaide University could soon help authorities detect deadly counterfeit alcohol, expose wine fraud, and identify dangerous chemicals inside sealed bottles without opening them, according to a July 17 announcement.
The research builds on work conducted at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in collaboration with Adelaide University. The teams demonstrated that a specially designed laser system can detect toxic methanol hidden inside unopened spirit bottles, even through colored glass. While the latest study focused on identifying dangerous methanol contamination in whisky and other spirits, researchers at Adelaide University are expanding the technology into new areas with potential to protect consumers and support Australian industries.
Methanol poisoning remains a serious global health problem, causing hundreds of deaths each year and leaving many more people blind or permanently injured. Counterfeit alcohol is often impossible to detect without opening the bottle and conducting expensive laboratory tests. The new optical technique changes that by using Raman spectroscopy to read the unique chemical fingerprint of a liquid through its packaging.
By combining two advanced optical techniques—carefully shaping the laser beam and subtly changing its wavelength during measurement—the team improved the system's ability to detect tiny amounts of methanol while filtering out interference from the bottle itself. The technology can detect methanol at concentrations around ten times lower than internationally recognized safety limits, offering a fast, non-destructive alternative to conventional laboratory testing.
Adelaide University physicist Dr. Ralf Mouthaan from the Centre of Light for Life said, "Our goal is to develop technology that can move out of the laboratory and into places where it can make a real difference – whether that's customs checkpoints, distilleries, food manufacturers or quality assurance facilities." Ané Kritzinger, a joint PhD candidate with Adelaide University and the University of St Andrews who led recent research published in Journal of Physics: Photonics, said, "Once you can accurately identify the molecular fingerprint of a liquid through its packaging, there are countless possibilities. We're interested in applying the same principles wherever industries need a rapid, reliable and non-invasive way to verify what's inside a sealed container."
Researchers have already demonstrated they can capture an optical fingerprint of wine through bottles as well as investigate detection methods for trace pesticide contamination in olive oil or counterfeit perfumes. They are also working on ways law enforcement agencies could determine if bottles contain hazardous chemicals without opening them. Adelaide University is preparing for more than $10 million worth of related research programs with collaborators at other Australian universities aimed at supporting Australia's grain industry.
