Biodegradable microparticles for simultaneous detection of counterfeit and deteriorated edible products

Ivan Rehor, Sophie van Vreeswijk, Tina Vermonden, Wim E. Hennink, Willem K. Kegel, Huseyin Burak Eral*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In an era of globalized trade relations where food and pharmaceutical products cross borders effortlessly, consumers face counterfeit and deteriorated products at elevated rates. This paper presents multifunctional, biodegradable hydrogel microparticles that can provide information on the authenticity and the potential deterioration of the tagged food or pharmaceutical formulations. These microparticles integrate spatially patterned authenticity code with two sensors—the first one detects possible presence of pathogenic microbes through monitoring pH while the second one identifies products stored above optimal temperatures via optical monitoring of the microparticle degradation. Particles are synthesized from a biocompatible polymer and a photoinitiator, dextran modified with 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and riboflavin, respectively, using a continuous, high throughput method stop-flow lithography. The proposed synthesis approach also enables crosslinking with visible light bringing about additional flexibility to flow lithography. Model liquid and solid food and pharmaceutical products are successfully labeled with microparticles and the functionality of the sensors in aqueous solutions is demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1701804
Number of pages9
JournalSmall
Volume13
Issue number39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • anti-counterfeiting
  • biodegradable
  • product safety
  • sensor
  • stop-flow lithography

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