Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) are conjugated polymers with interesting optical properties, useful for a variety of sensing applications, such as for temperature, mechanical impact, and detection of biological entities.  The visible signals exhibited by PDA sensors make them preferential to electrochemical sensors for many applications, particularly within the food industry.  The PDA 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) has been incorporated into the polyurethane elastomer Tecoflex�(TF) to create a polymer-blend which can serve as a colorimetric strain and temperature sensitive film, with potential use in the food packaging industry.  PCDA �decorated� with amino acids exhibit a colorimetric response in the presence of bacterial moieties.  In collaboration with the Food Science Department of Clemson University, PCDA liposomes decorated with tryptophan exhibit a colorimetric response in the presence of E. coli.  Polymer blend films capable of detecting various types of bacteria, as well as PDA solutions to detect bacteria on food preparation surfaces will be discussed.

Polydiacetylene sensors for food safety applications

244th National Meeting (2012)

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