Abstract
A new miniaturized sensor system with an internal optical reference for the detection of mold growth is presented. The sensor chip comprises a reaction chamber provided with a culture medium that promotes the growth of mold species from mold spores. The mold detection is performed by measuring impedance changes with integrated electrodes fabricated inside the reaction chamber. The impedance change in the culture medium is caused by shifts in the pH (i.e., from 5.5 to 8) as the mold grows. In order to determine the absolute pH value without the need for calibration, a methyl red indicator dye has been added to the culture medium. It changes the color of the medium as the pH passes specific values. This colorimetric principle now acts as a reference measurement. It also allows the sensitivity of the impedance sensor to be established in terms of impedance change per pH unit. Major mold species that are involved in the contamination of food, paper and indoor environments, like Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium incarnatum, Eurotium amstelodami, Aspergillus penicillioides and Aspergillus restrictus, have been successfully analyzed on-chip.
Highlights
Mold is a general terminology for a variety of filamentous fungi
Theaimpedance of for the detecting culture medium is measured culture as the mold color sensor the color transition by thatusing takesa symmetrical two-electrode implemented on culture the chip
Toensure ensurethat that this indicator dye does inhibit growth of mold species, experimental investigations were done to determine best suitable the mold species, experimental investigations were done to the determine the concentrations best suitable of the dye
Summary
Molds play a vital role in the decomposition of organic matter present in our ecosystem, some of them are proven to pose a severe threat to human and animal health. They cause damage to perishable goods, books, buildings, or other organic matter. Monitoring the mold contamination of food products is often neglected [3]. Food can be infected with mold before being harvested or during the process of transportation, so it is of the utmost importance to monitor the growth of mold during transportation
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