A new low-cost sensor made of metal oxide nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite can detect formalin adulteration in fishes at room temperature in a non-invasive way. The sensor shows long-term stability with a low detection limit.
Food adulteration is when harmful or illegal things are added to food to make it look better or last longer. Formaldehyde, a strong-smelling gas used in various industries and sometimes to keep food, especially fish, fresh in some developing countries, is a good example. But, many countries ban formaldehyde in food because it can cause cancer.
Commercial formalin sensors for fish Electrochemical sensors are extensively used but are expensive. Calorimetric sensors are less expensive. But both methods are invasive in nature.
The development of 2D materials-based gas sensors has created a new avenue of effective detection of toxic vapors at room temperature. These sensors have the potential to detect the formalin evaporated from adulterated food products.
Dr. Hemen Kr. Kalita’s team at Guwahati University has created a cost-effective sensor to detect formalin in fish. They used a combination of tin oxide and reduced graphene oxide, which overcomes the low electrical conductivity of graphene oxide. This sensor can effectively identify formaldehyde, a common adulterant in fish, at room temperature.
(by PIB)
