Methanogen Detection System and Method of Detecting Methanogen

1 . A methanogen detection system, comprising:

a sample chamber configured to receive a capillary flow medium, the capillary flow medium configured to support a sample thereon, the sample comprising methanogens and each of the methanogens comprising Cofactor F 420 ;

a light source configured to produce a first light, the light source upstream to the sample chamber,

wherein the Cofactor F 420 of each of the methanogens absorbs the first light produced by the light source thereby resulting in excitation and relaxation of the Cofactor F 420 of each of the methanogens, and

wherein excitation and relaxation of the Cofactor F 420 of each of the methanogens generates a second emission light from the Cofactor F 420 of each of the methanogens;

an optical filter downstream from the second emission light, wherein the optical filter is configured to transmit a band of the second emission light;

a first light detector downstream from the second emission light and the optical filter, wherein the first light detector is configured to detect an intensity of the second emission light transmitted through the optical filter; and

a computing device in communication with the first light detector, wherein the computing device is configured to generate a concentration of the methanogens in the sample based on the intensity of the second emission light detected by the first light detector.

2 . The methanogen detection system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the capillary flow medium within the sample chamber.

3 . The methanogen detection system of claim 2 , wherein the capillary flow medium comprises:

a sample loading portion;

a hydrophobic partition downstream from the sample loading portion; and

a control portion downstream from the hydrophobic partition.

4 . The methanogen detection system of claim 3 , further comprising:

a second light detector downstream from the optical filter, wherein the second light detector is configured to detect an intensity of a third light produced by the light source and transmitted through the optical filter from the control potion of the capillary flow medium.

5 . The methanogen detection system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a power supply operatively connected to each of the light source, the first and second light detector, and the computing device.

6 . The methanogen detection system of claim 5 , wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery.

7 . The methanogen detection system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a housing enclosing each of the sample chamber, the light source, the optical filter, the first and second light detector, the computing device, and the power supply.

8 . The methanogen detection system of claim 7 , wherein the housing defines an aperture extending through the housing, the aperture comprising a window configured to provide a view of the sample chamber.

9 . The methanogen detection system of claim 7 , wherein the housing defines a capillary flow medium slot, the slot configured to receive the capillary flow medium.

10 . The methanogen detection system of claim 3 , wherein the sample loading portion is configured to receive the sample,

wherein the sample is configured to flow on the sample loading portion toward the hydrophobic partition, and

wherein the hydrophobic partition is configured to restrain the sample from flowing to the control portion.

11 . The methanogen detection system of claim 1 , wherein the first light produced by the light source comprises a wavelength range of 420±2.5 nm.

12 . The methanogen detection system of claim 1 , wherein the optical filter is configured to transmit a band of the second emission light comprising a wavelength range of 470±2.5 nm.

13 . The methanogen detection system of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

14 . The methanogen detection system of claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second light detector comprises a photodiode.

15 . The methanogen detection system of claim 2 , wherein the sample further comprises a lysis solution configured to break down a cell wall of each of the methanogens.

16 . The methanogen detection system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a port extending through the housing and operatively connected to each of the light source, the first and second light detector, and the computing device,

wherein the port is configured to receive and transfer power and receive, transfer, and output data.

17 . The methanogen detection system of claim 3 , wherein the capillary flow medium further comprises:

a user handling portion separate from the sample loading portion.

18 . The methanogen detection system of claim 3 , wherein the control portion is loaded with at least one fluorophore or at least one fluorochrome.

19 . The methanogen detection system of claim 2 , wherein the capillary flow medium is at least one of the following: chromatography paper, a lateral flow device, a lateral flow strip, or any combination thereof.

20 . The methanogen detection system of claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises:

a first chamber enclosing each of the capillary flow medium, the sample chamber, the light source, the optical filter, and the first and second light detector; and

a second chamber enclosing each of the computing device and the power supply.

21 . A method of detecting methanogen using the methanogen detection system of claim 1 , comprising:

providing a sample onto a capillary flow medium, the sample comprising one or more methanogens and each of the methanogens comprising Cofactor F 420 ;

providing the capillary flow medium into the sample chamber of the methanogen detection system,

irradiating the sample with the first light of the methanogen detection system;

detecting an intensity of a second emission light emitted from the Cofactor F 420 of each of the methanogens; and

generating a concentration of the methanogens in the sample based on the intensity of the second emission light.