When good food goes bad: A biogenic amine sensing polymer to detect food freshness

ANYL 22

Marc S. Maynor, maynor@mail.chem.sc.edu, Toby L. Nelson, nelsont@mail.chem.sc.edu, Ivy Tran, tivytran@hotmail.com, Travis K. Deason, tkdeason@yahoo.com, and John J. Lavigne, lavigne@mail.chem.sc.edu. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29208
A single cross-reactive conjugated polymer has been used to assess the quality of foods that have been contaminated with bacteria. The assay detects biogenic amine by-products formed when the bacteria are active in the food source. The analysis generates a multidimensional response that has been shown to be capable of identifying 22 structurally similar and biogenic amines with 97% accuracy. This analysis relies on the analyte-directed aggregation of the polymer to produce an optical signature that is unique for each analyte. Initial efforts have focused on identifying biogenic amines in fish, to assess the quality of the food as a function of bacterial spoilage. Progress towards the development of a disposable ‘dipstick' for individual consumers to use as a means to test the quality of foods, at home, in restaurants, and when traveling, will also be discussed.