Sanjay K. Gupta, Ph.D., AppliColor's Chief Science Officer: "I believe that POMA measurements present accurate biologic measurements"

Sanjay K. Gupta, Ph.D., joined the AppliColor team in an advisory capacity in September 2020, as the company’s Chief Science Officer. Dr. Gupta will establish the scientific correlation of POMA’s biologic measurements as equivalents to industry-accepted measurements of shelf life, plant growth rates and disease plant stress.

Dr. Gupta explains, "I was both intrigued and skeptical of AppliColor’s claim that an app could make accurate measurements that directly correlate to the expensive lab tests I routinely perform in my research. After reviewing the data, including AppliColor's independent potato field trial in Othello Washington, I believe that POMA measurements present accurate biologic measurements."

​According to AppliColor Founder Alan Shulman, Ed.D.:

“We are developing new standards for growers to make cultivation decisions that optimize yields and detect pathogens. POMA will provide distributors with the ability to detect pathogens and monitor quality. For consumers, POMA offers objective standards for selecting fresh produce at the grocery store. Dr. Gupta will complement POMA with his advanced knowledge of molecular biology to bring new tools to our industry.”

POMA testing produced consistent, positive results

POMA’s high accuracy is achieved by combining three independent variables. When the visual cues of immune response, PVY mosaic patterns, and leaf to stem photosensitivity rates are all positive with known PVY, Blackleg or other pathogens, the plant is likely positive. Recently, a comparison of Agdia ImmunoStrip® results, expert field-inspector evaluations and POMA results confirmed consistent results.

• All three agreed 34 times out of 40.
• POMA agreed 5 times with the inspector for a possible PVY strain that may not have been included in Agdia’s strain set.
• One positive was detected by POMA potentially before it had exhibited symptoms that could be observed by an inspector.

An Android camera is more sensitive in critical plant-color regions than it is in human vision.

Industry giants on the leadership team to help commercialize AppliColor technologies

In addition to Dr. Gupta, two widely recognized industry leaders, Bob Spence and Al Vengelos, have fleshed out AppliColor’s executive team.

• Bob Spence, AppliColor CEO, has more than 35 years of industry experience, helping make Del Monte Fresh Produce a successful brand.

• Al Vangelos, Director of Strategic Development, has 35 years of experience in the fresh and processed food industries. He was the CEO and President of Calavo Growers of California for many years.