Multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging of feces-contaminated apples by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence imaging system with tunable excitation wavelengths

We recently developed a time-resolved multispectral laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) imaging system capable of tunable wavelengths in the visible region for sample excitation and nanosecond-seale characterizations of fluorescence responses (lifetime imaging). Time-dependent fluorescence decay characteristics and fluorescence lifetime imaging of apples artificially contaminated with a range of diluted cow feces were investigated at 670 and 685 run emission bands obtained by 418, 530, and 630 mn excitations. The results demonstrated that a 670 run emission with a 418 nm excitation provided the greatest difference in time-dependent fluorescence responses between the apples and feces-treated spots. The versatilities of the time-resolved LIF imaging system, including fluorescence lifetime imaging of a relatively large biological object in a multispectral excitation-emission wavelength domain, were demonstrated. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.