A fiber optic biosensor for sulfite analysis in food

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Science

Background:

• Sulfite is a common food additive, but its levels must be carefully monitored for safety and quality.
• Existing methods for sulfite detection can be time-consuming or require specialized equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel fiber optic biosensor for sulfite detection.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance in terms of dynamic range, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity.
• To determine sulfite content in real food samples and compare results with a standard method.

Main Methods:

• Enzymatic oxidation of sulfite catalyzed by immobilized sulfite oxidase (SOD).
• Oxygen consumption monitored using an oxygen fiber optic sensor measuring fluorescence quenching of perylene.
• Immobilization of perylene and SOD onto a fiber optic sensor and membrane, respectively.
• Analysis of food samples including dried fruits, potato flakes, and lemon juice.

Main Results:

• The developed biosensor demonstrated good dynamic range, reversibility, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity.
• Accurate determination of sulfite content in various food samples was achieved.
• Results obtained using the biosensor showed strong agreement with the standard AOAC method.

Conclusions:

• The fiber optic biosensor is a viable and accurate tool for sulfite determination.
• This sensor offers a sensitive and reliable alternative for sulfite analysis in food matrices.
• The technology has potential for routine quality control in the food industry.