Scientific publications
See the scientific impact of our work. Discover the scientific papers supported by COP-PILOT
Abstract
In 2023, the World Economic Forum selected wearable plant sensors as one of the Top 10 Emerging Technologies, demonstrating that these smart analytical tools will be relevant in the next generation of agrifood practices. Considering the robustness, accuracy, and miniaturisation of electrochemical (bio)sensing tools, electrochemical-based plant sensors could be suitable devices to address the requirements for their advanced applications in the agrifood sector. This review deals with electrochemical (bio)sensors for monitoring agrochemicals , phytohormones, growth precursors, and stress biomarkers, using wearable and implantable configurations. The design and type of biocomponent and/or nanomaterial(s) used are reported, highlighting the analytical performances obtained on plants. The ongoing application of these analytical tools is discussed, and the future applications combined with Internet of Thing and Artificial Intelligence are envisioned, with the overriding aim to give an overall scenario related to plant electrochemical (bio)sensors for the next technologies in the agrifood sector.
Relevance of the Paper to the COP-PILOT Project:
This review paper focuses on the state-of-the-art in wearable and implantable electrochemical biosensors for monitoring plant health, including agrochemicals, phytohormones, and stress biomarkers. The insights from this research are crucial for one of COP-PILOT’s key objectives in Cluster 3A, which is to develop a wearable electrochemical sensor for monitoring antinutrients in leaves. The study provides essential knowledge for the development of our sensing device, including its implementation and integration with our cluster partners, enabling us to create a reliable and innovative analytical tool for plant health monitoring.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license http://creativecommons.org/
Authors
Narjiss Seddaoui, Fabiana Arduini
Abstract
The monitoring of oxygen in food packaging during storage and transportation is crucial in food quality surveillance, warning users regarding food spoiling, happening through compound oxidation and aerobic microorganism proliferation. In this overall scenario, we report the development of a
flexible, cost-effective, and Bluetooth-assisted electrochemical sensor for oxygen detection in food packaging. The device encompasses three layers, namely a zinc sheet as an anode, a conductive silver
ink printed on an oriented polypropylene sheet serving as a cathode, and a deep eutectic solvent deposited on a paper-based substrate sandwiched between both electrodes. The sensing tool provided a wide linear range for oxygen detection up to 20.9 O 2 % v/v with good intra-electrode
repeatability (RSD % = 0.02 %). Finally, the developed device was integrated with a 3D printed holder and tested for oxygen detection in packages containing mushrooms, tomatoes, and broccoli samples,
obtaining a good correlation with the reference method. This study opens noticeable possibilities for employing paper-based metal-air batteries in the detection of specific target analytes, by integrating
paper substrate and metal-based batteries delivering smart and self-powered instruments as reliable and accurate analytical tools.
Relevance of the Paper to the COP-PILOT Project:
The study carried out in this paper provides valuable insight into the use of Bluetooth-based and wireless sensing platforms. Specifically, this technology will be utilized in the framework of the COP-PILOT project to develop a Bluetooth-assisted electrochemical sensor for plant health monitoring.
Furthermore, with the investigation performed during this work, we dealt with the agrifood field, and specifically with the monitoring of parameters related to vegetables, laying the groundwork for the development of a wearable electrochemical sensor for monitoring (anti)nutrients in plants. This is strictly related to the COP-PILOT project, following the Use Cases, and to fulfill the Expected Outcomes related to Cluster 3A.
This is an open access article under the CC BY license http://creativecommons.org/
Authors
Achref Chebil, Vincenzo Mazzaracchio, Leonardo Duranti, Ludovica Gullo, Fabiana Arduini
Relevance of the Paper to the COP-PILOT Project:
Abstract
Phytic acid is a phosphorylated derivative of myo-inositol that is ubiquitous in plants and serves as the primary storage form of phosphorus. In human nutrition, phytic acid is considered an anti-nutrient because it chelates essential minerals, including calcium, iron, and zinc. This binding action
reduces the bioavailability of these metals, highlighting the importance of monitoring phytic acid in food. Herein, we reported a novel and fully printed analytical platform for the quantifying of phytic acid in spinach leaves. The integrated device comprises an electrochemical biosensor fabricated on office paper, combined with a custom-designed 3D printed grinder to accomplish the phytic acid extraction from ground spinach leaves using HCl. The solution extracted from the leaves containing phytic acid is transferred onto a filter pad in contact with the biosensor using a 3D printed funnel.
The detection of phytic acid was made by using paper-based printed electrode modified with phytase enzyme. The enzymatic by-product, phosphate, reacts with ammonium molybdate preloaded on the filter pad to form an electroactive phosphomolybdic complex, which is then quantified at the working electrode surface using cyclic voltammetry. A linear range comprised between 1.8 and 50μM was observed, with a limit of detection of 0.5 μM Additionally, the biosensing platform exhibits high selectivity in the presence of potential interferents, including myo-inositol, ascorbic acid, and divalent metal cations. The accuracy of the biosensor was evaluated in spinach leaf samples, with percentage recoveries between 91% and 109%.
Relevance of the Paper to the COP-PILOT Project:
Authors
Ludovica Gullo, Igor Gabriel Silva Oliveira, Achref Chebil, Luca Fiore, Silvia Maria Martelli, Willyam Róger Padilha Barros, Fabiana Arduini
