Ethylene detection using TiO₂–WO₃ composite sensor for fruit ripening applications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to develop a chemo-resistive sensor based on TiO₂–WO₃ composite material to detect and estimate ethylene released from the fruit ripening process to ensure food safety.

Design/methodology/approach

The ethylene sensor has been fabricated using TiO₂–WO₃ composite material through the sol-gel method.

Findings

The sensitivity of the sensor obtained using the pre-calibrated ethylene is found to be 46.2 per cent at 200 ppm ethylene concentration, and the proposed sensor could measure 8 ppm as the lowest concentration.

Originality/value

The sensor was tested for continuous ethylene detection during natural ripening of fruits and hence is useful for ensuring food safety through discrimination of the type of fruit ripening. A TiO₂–WO₃ composite ethylene sensor is developed for the first time.

Citation

Kathirvelan, J., Vijayaraghavan, R. and Thomas, A. (2017), "Ethylene detection using TiO₂–WO₃ composite sensor for fruit ripening applications", Sensor Review, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-12-2016-0262