Russia Develops a Mobile Digital Dairy Laboratory
Researchers at Russia’s ITMO University have developed a mobile, smartphone‑based system for monitoring lactic acid bacteria, offering small producers a low‑cost alternative to laboratory equipment
Agriculture
Scientists at ITMO University have introduced a new mobile system for monitoring lactic acid bacteria using only a smartphone. The technology is designed to simplify and accelerate quality control in fermented dairy production, where precise tracking of lactic acid formation and bacterial activity is essential.
Traditional methods often rely on titrimetry, gas chromatography, or high‑performance liquid chromatography — techniques that require expensive equipment and professional laboratory staff. While biosensors exist, they typically target pathogenic microorganisms and are not suited for analyzing beneficial lactic cultures.
ITMO researchers proposed an accessible alternative: a smartphone‑based system capable of assessing the growth of Streptococcus thermophilus by analyzing images of Petri dishes. This enables rapid microbiological evaluation virtually anywhere, lowering barriers for producers.
High‑Accuracy Mobile Analysis
The system is designed for ease of use, allowing farmers and small producers to conduct tests without specialized training. Results are generated in real time with an accuracy of 0.01 acidity units.
According to Olga Osmak, an engineer at ITMO’s Infochemistry Scientific and Educational Center, “As thermophilic streptococcus grows, the acidity of the medium gradually changes, and this is reflected in the color of the indicator. A user photographs the Petri dish with a smartphone and uploads the image to our Telegram bot.
The algorithm, using HEX‑color analysis, automatically detects the dish contour, removes background noise, calculates average color values, and compares them with a gradient of 25 reference samples stored in our database. Within seconds, the system outputs acidity with 0.01‑unit precision.”
A Practical Tool for Small Businesses
For producers, the system provides timely insights into raw‑material quality during early production stages. This ensures stable product quality, particularly in small‑batch dairy manufacturing.
Lactic acid bacteria also play key roles in pharmaceuticals and natural cosmetics, where lactic acid is used in creams and serums. This makes the mobile laboratory useful for small farms and for niche beauty producers who cannot rely on large laboratory facilities.
Future versions of the platform may allow targeted focus on specific sample areas, automated identification of bacterial growth phases, and measurement of lactic acid output. These features will help producers better track bacterial development and acidity changes during processing.
Developers also plan to adapt the system for oral‑hygiene monitoring. Users would apply a special gel to their teeth, photograph it, and receive acidity‑level feedback from the algorithm.
Export Potential
The ITMO system advances the concept of a ‘smart laboratory on a smartphone,’ strengthening Russia’s expertise in digital analytics and quality‑control automation. It makes microbiological monitoring accessible to small enterprises, supporting higher standards in dairy and food‑tech production.
Integration with AI analytics and cloud platforms could further enhance its value and position Russia as a competitive player in digital food‑quality technologies. The system also holds export potential in fast‑growing agricultural markets, particularly in developing regions where dairy processing is expanding rapidly.
