Timely Topic: Researchers Develop Sensors To Detect Food Contaminants at Home

11.22.2024

Recent recalls of contaminated carrots, ground beef, deli meat and other grocery items have raised new concerns about food safety.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas are developing sensors aimed at making it possible for consumers to detect contaminants in food and water within minutes in the convenience of their homes.

The UT Dallas bioengineers published three proof-of-concept studies in 2024 that demonstrated their sensors’ ability to detect E. coli, salmonella and a common herbicide.

“Our goal is to develop accurate, rapid sensor technologies that consumers can use to ensure that their food is free of harmful contaminants,” said Dr. Shalini Prasad, department head of bioengineering and a Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

“We are excited to design tools that give people more ability to protect their health,” she said.

In a study published in June in the journal Biosensors, Prasad and her team demonstrated a portable electrochemical sensing platform that detects and quantifies E. coli O157:H7 in water within five minutes. Although the study tested for a different E. coli strain than the one found recently in organic carrots, the researchers plan to expand the sensor to test for other types of the bacteria now that they have proven the technology works.

A study published in February in the journal Microchimica Acta demonstrated a device to screen for salmonella in water samples in less than nine minutes. And another study published in August in Electrochem showed that one of their sensors can detect in drinking water the toxic chemical paraquat dichloride, which is used to kill weeds.

Prasad said her team also is working on a sensor to detect altrazine, another toxic herbicide, and one to detect mycotoxins, which are produced by fungi.

Dr. Shalini Prasad, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science

Prasad has designed a variety of miniature cellular and molecular platforms that she is using to create faster and more affordable clinical diagnostics. She and her team have designed a wearable sensor that can detect in human sweat molecules associated with health conditions, including diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, and key biomarkers of infection, which could give users early warnings of infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.

The researchers also have developed sensor technology to test parameters of soil health; the presence in saliva of THC, the active component in marijuana; and a rapid test to detect fentanyl in liquid.

The UTD researchers are advancing their sensor technologies in collaboration with the Allen, Texas-based company EnLiSense, which develops lifestyle-based sensors and devices. Prasad is a co-founder of the company.

–Kim Horner

 
Note to journalists: Dr. Shalini Prasad is available for news media interviews. Contact Kim Horner, 972-883-4463, kim.horner@utdallas.edu.