Electrochemical Biosensors for Food Hazard Detection

Project Title: The Development of Flexible and Printed Biosensors to Quantify Hazards in Food Samples.

Project Description: The aim of this research is interfacing biology and electronics, in order to develop low-cost printed biosensors for fast detection of food-borne hazards. This project focuses on detection and quantification of biogenic amines, as their presence in food constitutes a potential public health concern due to their physiological and toxicological effects.

Biosensors, fabricated with printing techniques (such as screen printing, inkjet printing, dispense printing, 3D printing) on mechanically flexible substrates, functionalized with nanoparticles (such as carbon nanotubes, silver nanoparticles etc.) and immobilized with antibodies for specific detection are promising analytical tools for fast and low-cost analysis. Furthermore, selectivity, reproducibility, mechanical and time stability need to be evaluated to be able to implement biosensors in the food safety analysis and moving toward industrial-scale manufacturing.

Main research areas includes:

  • Flexible and printed biosensor
  • Immunosensors
  • Simultaneous detection of food hazards

Bendability measurements of flexible histamine sensors

Project Funding:
The project is funded by Italian Institute of Technology.

For more information please contact Bajramshahe Shkodra and Dr. Enrico Avancini.