Fluorescence analyzer based on smartphone camera and wireless for detection of Ochratoxin A

Abstract

This manuscript describes an innovative approach to quantify the concentrations of ochratoxin A (OTA) using the smartphone as fluorescence device. The detection through the smartphone is based on the fluorescence phenomenon. It occurs when the sample is excited with ultraviolet (UV) light, the fluorescence from excited sample passes through a lens to smartphone camera. Finally, it is send by wireless to personal computer. The fluorescence image data from the smartphone camera is analyzed by a personal computer; then, the images are represented in its Red, Green and Blue (RGB) components. It is reported that OTA is naturally fluorescent, hence when the light is emitted through solution with OTA; it provides a blue fluorescence, so the image is captured with the smartphone camera whereas for blank solution, no fluorescence was observed. To process the image, a graphical user interface (GUI) in MATLAB R2011a was made. The best linear range with the developed system was in the range 2–20μg/L and the limit of detection (LOD) was 2μg/L. This is comparable with commercial equipment in a portable system and employing smartphone as a power source also.