The demand for inexpensive field portable devices that could respond to the today’s needs for low cost and rapid detection with on-site measurement capabilities is growing. This presentation will discuss development, scalable manufacturing, analytical characterization and deployment of portable biosensors that incorporate functional nanoparticles, and their application for food monitoring and quality assurance. To fabricate the sensors, we use nanoparticles that have tunable redox activity, optical and catalytic properties and can transduce and catalytically amplify signals in chemical and biological detection schemes involving biomolecules. The modification of nanoparticles with biological receptors and adaptation of this technology to paper-based sensors will be described. The biofunctionalized surface reacts specifically and generates distinct optically or electrochemically detectable signals based on the chemical composition and concentration of active ingredients. A unique feature of these devices is the built-in detection mechanism with all the sensing components needed for analysis deposited onto the sensing platform that can function as an all-in-one bioanalytical device. These sensors have been interfaced with portable databases and user-friendly signal transduction methods, and have demonstrated excellent analytical performance when used in the field. The platform can be inexpensively produced in large quantities by printing; it can also be added to packaging and used as smart label during manufacturing, storage and use. Several prototype systems designed for food safety monitoring and authentication of active ingredients in cosmetic and food products will be discussed, with examples of applications. These sensors can be used by consumers, regulatory agencies or industry to check the quality, shelf life and origin of raw materials or products.

Easy-to-use, portable and inexpensive nano-engineered sensors for assessing food quality and safety

254th National Meeting (2017)

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