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The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the development of an enzyme-based sensor for haloalkane detection. Haloalkane is a toxic compound that is found as genotoxic impurities in pharmaceutical products and contaminants in waste. The need to investigate the genotoxic level in pharmaceutical manufacturing is very crucial because of its toxicity effects on human health. The potential of mini protein as an alternative bioreceptor was explored with the aim to be more effective and stable under extreme conditions.

Mini proteins of haloalkane dehalogenase (HLD) were computationally designed and experimentally validated. Tapered multimode fiber (TMMF) was bio-functionalized with a bioreceptor either native (positive control) or mini protein. The absorbance-based sensor resulting from the binding interaction of mini protein with haloalkane was monitored through a wavelength range of 200-1,300 nm.

An increment of the UV absorption is observed at 325 nm when haloalkane interacted with the immobilized bioreceptors, native or mini protein. Both biosensors displayed a continuous response over the range of 5-250 µM haloalkane. They also had the capability to detect haloalkanes below 1 min and with an operational stability of up to seven days without significant loss of sensitivity.

The results indicate the potential viability of the enzyme HLD-based sensor to monitor the existence of haloalkane in both pharmaceutical and environmental products.

The paper describes an outcome of experimental work on TMMF-based biosensor coated with HLD for label-free haloalkane detection. Mini protein can be used as an effective bioreceptor with some structural modification to improve functionality and stability.

Discusses intelligent materials, intelligent material‐based sensors, their transducing methods, and different kinds of transducers used with smart material‐based sensors. Assumes that the future of intelligent sensors will almost totally depend on intelligent chemistry and intelligent instrumentation. Molecular recognition will widen the horizons of smart systems with the help of VLSI‐based design and fabrication. Discusses different sensor mechanisms, such as ENFETs, immunoFETs, ISFETs and chemFETs and takes a detailed look at potentiometric, amperometric and optical biosensors.

The present study aims to summarize different non-invasive techniques for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetic patients using glucose-oxidase biosensors. In diabetic patients, the self-monitoring of blood glucose (BG) levels through minimally invasive techniques provides a quick method of measuring their BG concentration, unlike conventional laboratory measurements. The drawbacks of minimally invasive techniques include physical pain, anxiety and reduced patient compliance. To overcome these limitations, researchers shifted their attention towards the development of a pain-free and non-invasive glucose monitoring system, which showed encouraging results.

This study reviews the development of minimally and non-invasive method for continuous glucose level monitoring in diabetic or hyperglycemic patients. Specifically, glucose monitoring using non-invasive techniques, such as spectroscopy-based methods, polarimetry, fluorescence, electromagnetic variations, transdermal extraction-based methods and using body fluids, has been discussed. The various strategies adopted for improving the overall specificity and performance of biosensors are discussed.

In conclusion, the technology of glucose oxidase-based biosensors for glucose level monitoring is becoming a strong competitor, probably because of high specificity and selectivity, low cost and increased patient compliance. Many industries currently working in this field include Google, Novartis and Microsoft, which demonstrates the significance and strong market potential of self-monitored glucose-oxidase-based biosensors in the near future.

This review paper summarizes comprehensive strategies for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetic patients using non-invasive glucose-oxidase biosensors. Non-invasive techniques received significant research interest because of high sensitivity and better patient compliance, unlike invasive ones. Although the results from these innovative devices require frequent calibration against direct BG data, they might be a preferable candidate for future CGM. However, the challenges associated with designing accurate level sensors to biomonitor BG data easily and painlessly needs to be addressed.

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the technology and performance of the miniature microfluidic module for urea determination. The presented module was made using low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC). It shows the possibility for the integration of the bioreceptor layers with structures that have been fabricated using modern microelectronic technology.

The presented microfluidic module was fabricated using LTCC technology. The possibility for the fabrication of an enzymatic microreactor in a multilayer ceramic substrate, made of CeramTec glass ceramic (GC) material systems with an integrated thick-film heater, is studied. Different configurations of the LTCC/heater materials (gold, silvers and palladium-silver) are taken into account. The performance of the LTCC-based microfluidic module with the integrated heater and immobilized enzyme was examined experimentally.

A compatible material for the heater embedded in the CeramTec GC-based structures was found. The preliminary measurements made for the test solution containing various concentrations of urea have shown stability (for seven days of operation) and a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio (above 3 pH units) for the microreactor’s output signal.

The presented research is a preliminary work which is focused on the fabrication of the LTCC-based microfluidic module, with an integrated heater and immobilized enzyme for urea determination. The device was positively tested using a model reaction of the hydrolysis of urea. However, urea concentration in real (biological) fluid should also be measured.

The development of the LTCC-based microfluidic module for urea determination provides opportunity for the construction of a lab-on-chip, or μTAS-type system, for fast medical diagnoses and the continuous monitoring of various biochemical parameters, e.g. for estimating the effectiveness of hemodialysis.

This paper shows the design, fabrication and performance of the novel microfluidic module for urea determination, made with LTCC technology.

This paper aims to present a research on utilization of an irreversible bonding between non-transparent low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) and transparent poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The research presented in this paper is focused on the technology and performance of the miniature microfluidic module for fluorescence measurement.

The chemical combination of both materials is achieved through surface modification using argon-oxygen dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. According to the performed spectroscopic analyses (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS; attenuated total reflection-Fourier infrared spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR) and contact angle measurements, the LTCC and PDMS surfaces are oxidized during the process. The presented microfluidic module was fabricated using LTCC technology. The possibility for the fabrication of LTCC-PDMS microfluidic fluorescent sensor is studied. The performance of the sensor was examined experimentally.

As a result of DBD plasma oxidation, the LTCC and PDMS surfaces change in character from hydrophobic to hydrophilic and were permanently bonded. The presented LTCC-PDMS bonding technique was used to fabricate a microfluidic fluorescent sensor. The preliminary measurements of the sensor have proven that it is possible to observe the fluorescence of a liquid sample from a very small volume.

The presented research is a preliminary work which is focused on the fabrication of the LTCC-PDMS fluorescent sensor. The microfluidic device was positively tested only for ethanolic fluorescein solutions. Therefore, fluorescence measurements should be performed for biological specimen (e.g. DNA).

The LTCC-PDMS bonding technology combines the advantages of both materials. One the one hand, transparent PDMS with precise, transparent three-dimensional structures can be fabricated using hot embossing, soft lithography or laser ablation. On the other hand, rigid LTCC substrate consisting of microfluidic structures, electric interconnections, heaters and optoelectronic components can be fabricated. The development of the LTCC-PDMS microfluidic modules provides opportunity for the construction of a lab-on-chip, or micro-total analysis systems-type system, for analytical chemistry and fast medical diagnoses.

This paper shows utilization of the PDMS-LTCC bonding technology for microfluidics. Moreover, the design, fabrication and performance of the PDMS-LTCC fluorescent sensor are presented.

Globalization has increased the consumer's demand for safe and quality foods. To make food available to consumers from farm to fork, packaging plays a crucial role. The objective of packaging is to shield the foodstuff from degrading and to serve as the medium of communication between the processing industry and the consumers. Conventionally, several materials are used in the packaging such as laminates, plastics, glass, metal, etc., but with the advent of technology, newer and novel smart packaging technologies have entered this field. Smart packaging in the form of active and intelligent packaging not only acts as a barrier to external influences but also prevents internal deterioration. Oxygen scavengers, moisture controllers, antioxidants, CO₂ absorber/emitter, antimicrobial agents, etc., are some of the vital active packaging systems. On the other hand, an intelligent packaging system contains internal or external indicators and sensors that monitor the condition of packed food and gives information about its quality during storage and transportation. It seems that these interventions in packaging have very positive effects on the whole industry, but it is observed that this advancement in the packaging has also raised questions about its disposal. To overcome this issue, industries have started using smart packaging design along with the sustainable packaging trend. Communication with the recycling bodies at the time of development will ensure the smart packaging fit to be recycled. Considering such standards for smart packaging will not only create a healthy bond between industries and consumers but will also help in sustainable development. This chapter mainly focuses on the advancement of the packaging system associated with the agri-food sector. It also discusses how the implementation of these technological advancements will help the industries toward sustainable development.

The purpose of this study is to review the recent approaches in food packaging trends to address the preferences of the modern world.

Recent studies in all the emerging food packaging technologies have been discussed with the examples of commercially available products.

Advanced food packaging solutions have acquired much appreciation from food industries to address the preferences of the modern world. This paper attempts to describe the current practices in food packaging with examples of commercially available products. Significant emphasis has been given on the technical aspects of the intelligent packaging components, namely, barcodes, radio frequency identification, sensors and indicators. Another distinctive area of packaging focused in this review is the importance of bioplastics due to non-degradable nature of synthetic polymers. Three major categories of biodegradable polymers, namely, polysaccharide-based materials, protein-based materials and lipid-based materials, have been discussed along with an insight about sustainable packaging and edible films and coatings.

Changes in the industrial & retail matters and increasing demand for fresh, safe, nutritious food are the factors owing to the new innovations in the packaging sector. Imminent packaging technologies aim at value addition involving the extension of shelf life, prevention of microbial attack, proper moisture barrier, use of carbon dioxide scavengers/emitters, ethylene scavengers, flavor absorbers, freshness indicators, biosensors and release of bioactive compounds during storage.

Nature and occurrence of food-borne pathogens in raw and processed food products evolved greatly in the past few years due to new modes of transmission and resistance build-up against sundry micro-/macro-environmental conditions. Assurance of food health and safety thus gained immense importance, for which bio-sensing technology proved very promising in the detection and quantification of food-borne pathogens. Considering the importance, different studies have been performed, and different biosensors have been developed. This study aims to summarize the different biosensors used for the deduction of food-borne pathogens.

The present review highlights different biosensors developed apropos to food matrices, factors governing their selection, their potential and applicability. The paper discusses some related key challenges and constraints and also focuses on the needs and future research prospects in this field.

The shift in consumers’ and industries’ perceptions directed the further approach to achieve portable, user and environmental friendly biosensing techniques. Despite of these developments, it was still observed that the comparison among the different biosensors and their categories proved tedious on a single platform; since the food matrices tested, pathogen detected or diagnosed, time of detection, etc., varied greatly and very few products have been commercially launched. Conclusively, a challenge lies in front of food scientists and researchers to maintain pace and develop techniques for efficiently catering to the needs of the food industry.

Biosensors deduction limit varied with the food matrix, type of organism, material of biosensors’ surface, etc. The food matrix itself consists of complex substances, and various types of food are available in nature. Considering the diversity of food there is a need to develop a universal biosensor that can be used for all the food matrices for a pathogen. Further research is needed to develop a pathogen-specific biosensor that can be used for all the food products that may have accuracy to eliminate the traditional method of deduction.

The present paper summarized and categorized the different types of biosensors developed for food-borne pathogens.