Biolan Microbiosensores has signed an agreement with the Chilean Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) to monitor the health of table grapes in that country during the campaign that starts in the next few weeks.

Specifically, the INIA will use biosensors produced by the Basque company to detect the presence of Botrytis cinerea in table grapes from the varieties Sultanina and Red Globe by taking measurements using fruit from vineyards in the Metropolitana, Valparaíso and O’Higgins regions destined for export. The controls will be undertaken between the onset of véraison and harvest.

The INIA has selected Biolan's biosensors since they are able to measure parameters of particular interest for grape health and quality, and are based on a lyophilisation technology that provides a response in less than 3 minutes.

This agreement will allow Biolan to continue to expand into the Latin American market and provide a further opportunity to study the functioning of the biosensors chosen by INIA, which therefore joins other public and private bodies in validating the quality of these sensors over the part few months, including the Association of Wineries of the Rioja Alavesa or the Regulatory Council and cooperatives of Jerez.