Low cost smart phone diagnostics for food using paper-based colorimetric sensor arrays. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Yu; Fu, Guoqing; Zilberman, Yael; Ruan, Weitong; Ameri, Shideh Kabiri; Zhang, Yu Shrike; Miller, Eric; Sonkusale, Sameer R.
• Is Part Of: Food control. Volume 82(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Paper diagnostics -- Food quality monitoring -- Low cost sensors -- Food sensors -- Smartphone diagnostics -- Food aging -- Food packaging; Food -- Quality -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food handling -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Qualité -- Contrôle -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Qualité -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Hygiène alimentaire -- Périodiques; Food -- Analysis; Food handling; Food -- Quality; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-7135

Abstract

Abstract: There is a need for an accurate end-of-life indicator for packaged food (meat, seafood, dairy food etc.) beyond a simple "best use by" date on the food package. In this work, we propose a low cost solution by repurposing the food's barcode as a colorimetric sensor array to monitor food condition. A smart phone camera is used to read color information from the sensor barcode for quantitative estimate of the food aging and quality. The sensor is based on cross-reactive vapor sensitive dyes encapsulated in resin microbeads, which are impregnated onto a low cost paper substrate in a barcode pattern. The entire sensor platform is validated by accurately monitoring chicken aging and eventual spoilage under different temperature conditions. The proposed food diagnostics platform has the potential to reduce food waste and eliminate food-borne illness. Highlights: Paper based colorimetric sensor array. Low cost fabrication techniques. User-friendly smartphone detection. Good accuracy in determining food aging process. Sensor is low cost and eco-friendly.