Rapid detection of artificial sweeteners in food using microfluidic chromatography detection system

Abstract

Artificial sweeteners are often used by food manufacturers as a low-calorie alternative to sugar. However, an excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners can be harmful to human health. Consequently, their concentration in foods and beverages must be carefully controlled. The current study therefore proposes a microfluidic chromatography detection (MCD) system for the simultaneous concentration determination of two common sweeteners, namely saccharin sodium (SAC) and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). In the proposed system, the sample is dropped on the MCD chip with a developing solution consisting of DI water, ethyl acetate, acetic acid and ethanol the chip is then placed in a UV microanalysis device. After allowing sufficient time for the developing solution to separate the SAC and Ace-K sweeteners from the interfering substances, the chip is illuminated by a 254-nm ultraviolet lamp and captured by a CMOS camera. Then wirelessly transfer the captured image to a smartphone, where the Ace-K or SAC sweetener concentration is derived using self-developed chromatography analysis app on the smartphone. Results obtained using control samples with known SAC and Ace-K concentrations show that the current MCD system provides a reliable detection performance for both sweeteners over the concentration range of 50 ~ 2000 ppm. Furthermore, the detection results of the concentrations of SAC and Ace-K in 16 commercial food samples are within 6.3% of the results obtained using traditional macroscale HPLC systems.