Chapter6 - Functionalized porphyrin-based nanocomposites as prospective materials for food safety sensors

Abstract

Porphyrin due to its unique properties is a promising candidate for the detection of various analytes. Functionalized porphyrin-based nanocomposites offers various tunability modes in terms of optical, electronic, and magnetic properties and provide an efficient sensing platform to detect various analytes in the field of environment, health, and food. In the last few years, porphyrin nanocomposites have been reported as membrane-type surface stress sensors (MSS), chemo resistors, a chemical sensors and colorimetric sensor array for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOC). These composite materials induce conductivity in the porphyrin and make it a good chemoresistor, wearable gas sensors, etc. Food safety is fundamental aspect for the well-being of society. The emerging technologies such as intelligent packaging or smart packaging, etc. reflects the growing concern of people about food quality. Real-time monitoring becomes an important tool to control the food contamination and deterioration nationally and globally in perspective of health as well as socioeconomic aspect. It could be a solution in food quality analysis and food freshness preservation in order to provide consumers with contamination-free, safer, and healthy food. This review is an attempt to highlight the porphyrin carbon nanocomposites for prominent applications as nanosensors for the detection of toxic compounds and VOCs generated during the deterioration of food. Additionally, some comparative reports associated with porphyrin carbon nanocomposites synthesis, mechanism of action and overall eventual scope has been discussed. These solutions could prove superior to any conventional methods of sensing.