Electroanalytical detection of fruit ethylene by a novel electroactive biosensing membrane
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present an innovative approach to detect and monitor ethylene gas during fruit ripening.
Design/methodology/approach
It uses a specialized composite membrane in conjunction with a solid-state electrochemical method. This unique electroactive membrane, composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CHT), lithium chloride (LiCl) and ammonium molybdate (AMO), exhibits synergistic behavior when applied to a microelectrode chip surface. This composite enhances the sensitivity of electrochemical ethylene detection. Empirical experiments were conducted to elucidate the ripening kinetics in various fruit specimens, including apples, pears and mangoes. These fruits released ethylene, which was analyzed using the molybdenum-permeated electroactive biopolymer composite membrane, a critical determinant of ethylene levels.
Findings
Characterization of the synthesized composite through techniques such as X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed reduced crystallinity and decreased hydrogen bond interactions upon activation with Mo ions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images exhibited a distinctive porous surface morphology with spherical microgranules. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated a significant change in the mass or atomic composition of Mo in the composite membrane after Mo ion activation. Electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, validated the efficiency of the Mo-activated PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO membrane, manifesting an impressive 87.79% increase in sensitivity compared to the nonactivated membrane.
Practical implications
This research work represents a significant advancement in the field of ethylene detection and fruit ripening monitoring. The Mo-activated PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO membrane offers a reliable and effective solution for real-time ethylene detection, providing an invaluable tool for the horticultural industry to optimize fruit ripening processes, extend shelf life and ensure the delivery of high-quality produce to consumers.
Social implications
The findings of this study hold great promise for fostering sustainability and efficiency within the global fruit supply chain, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers alike.
Originality/value
The implications of this research extend to the fabrication of a sensor based on a solid-state electroactive PVA-CHT-LiCl-AMO composite membrane, which upon Mo-activation exhibits robust electrochemical fruit ethylene detection when exposed to different fruits.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are very thankful to the TIET-TAU Center of Excellence for Food Security (T2CEFS), Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab-147004, India, for providing financial support. The author Dr Diptarka Roy is very thankful to T2CEFS, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab-147004, India, for providing the postdoctoral fellowship under the project “Biosensor platforms and affordable processing technologies for mitigation of post-harvest losses” to accomplish this research work.
Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Citation
Roy, D., Gandhi, S., Gal-Oz, R., Vernick, S. and Ghosh, M. (2024), "Electroanalytical detection of fruit ethylene by a novel electroactive biosensing membrane", Sensor Review, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-01-2024-0044
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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