FIBER-OPTIC BIOSENSORS IN FOOD ANALYSIS

SMALL, RELIABLE AND ACCURATE FIBER-OPTIC BIOSENSORS WILL BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED FOR THE DETERMINATION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, SULFITE AND OTHER COMPOUNDS OF IMPORTANCE IN VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS MILK, FEED, FRESH AND/OR FROZEN VEGETABLES, ETC. THESE PROBES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BY CO-IMMOBILIZING VARIOUS SINGLE AND MULTI-ENZYME SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH AN APPROPRIATE CHROMOGENIC REAGENT, ONTO A FIBER-OPTIC BUNDLE HEAD. THESE PROBES WILL BE OPTIMIZED TO GIVE REPRODUCIBLE AND ACCURATE RESULTS WITH GOOD SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY. ON COMPLETION THEY WILL OFFER THE ADVANTAGES OF LOW COST AND SENSITIVITY. FOR THOSESYSTEMS THAT ARE NOT EASILY ADAPTABLE TO ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS OR THAT ARE PLAGUED WITH JUNCTION POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, THESE SENSORS WILL BE AN EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE.