Biosensors in food processing

Abstract

Optical based sensing systems that measure luminescence, fluorescence, reflectance and absorbance, etc., are some of the areas of applications of optical immunosensors. Immunological methods rely on specific binding of an antibody (monoclonal, polyclonal or engineered) to an antigen. Detection of specific microorganisms and microbial toxins requires immobilization of specific antibodies onto a given transducer that can produce signal upon attachment of typical microbe/microbial toxins. Inherent features of immunosensors such as specificity, sensitivity, speed, ease and on-site analysis can be made use for various applications. Safety of food and environment has been a major concern of food technologists and health scientists in recent years. There exists a strong need for rapid and sensitive detection of different components of foods and beverages along with the food borne and water borne pathogens, toxins and pesticide residues with high specificity. Biosensors present attractive, efficient alternative techniques by providing quick and reliable performances. There is a very good potential for application of biosensors for monitoring food quality and safety in food and bioprocessing industries in India.

Keywords: Aptamer; Biosensors; CFTRI; Food processing; Food safety; Immunosensor; Nanosensor.

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of biosensor components

Fig. 2

Schematic representation of biosensors with various combinations of physical and biological elements. Source: Adopted from Thakur (2012)

Fig. 3

Diagrammatic representation of calorimetric biosensor

Fig. 4

Diagrammatic representation of potentiometric biosensor

Fig. 5

Diagrammatic representation of optical biosensor

Fig. 6

NAD based “turn off” and NADH based “turn on” of QD fluorescence. Source: Akshath et al. (2012)

Fig. 7

Schematic representation of photo-absorption and resonance energy transfer in protein conjugated CdTe quantum dots. Source: Vinayaka and Thakur (2011)

Fig. 8

Scheme of the vitamin B₁₂ RNA Aptamer and colorimetric detection of vitamin B₁₂ Source: Selvakumar and Thakur (2012b)

Fig. 9

Schematic representation of (a) immunochemiluminescence based dipstick technique for detection of vitamin B_12, (b) Enzymatic dephosphorylation of dioxetane by alkaline phosphatase. Source: Selvakumar and Thakur (2012a)

Fig. 10

Formation of acrylamide from asparagine by Strecker reaction. Source: Granvogl et al. (2006)

Fig. 11

Benzene formation in soft drinks due to benzoic acid and ascorbic acid. Source: Adopted and edited from Gardner and Lawrence (1993)

Fig. 12

Immuno-Chemiluminescence based biosensor system-CFTRI, Mysore

Fig. 13

Industrial biosensor system for glucose and sucrose analysis developed at CFTRI, Mysore

Fig. 14

Flow injection analysis system

Fig. 15

Tea biosensor designed in CFTRI, Mysore