Construction of flexible paper-based sensor for label-free recognition of histamine in cow meat samples by conductive nano-silver ink: a new platform for the analysis of biogenic amines towards early diagnosis of meat spoil†

Abstract

Biogenic amines are organic nitrogen compounds that play key roles in various biological processes and are produced through amino acid decarboxylation. Among these, histamine stands out as a toxic biogenic amine with the potential to cause serious health issues when present at elevated levels in food, highlighting the importance of effective detection methods. However, current histamine detection approaches are often hindered by high costs, lengthy analysis times, and intricate procedures. This research introduces a novel, label-free method for detecting histamine in meat samples using highly conductive nano-silver inks to develop miniaturized sensors based on paper microdevice technology. The proposed paper-based electrochemical sensors offer significant advantages, including affordability, reproducibility, and environmental sustainability. A newly designed paper-based microsensor was developed for label-free histamine detection employing conductive nano-silver ink via a pen-on-paper technique. The fabrication process of the microsensor was thoroughly characterized through methods like field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX), and Atomic Force microscopy (AFM). Key findings indicate that the microsensor successfully detects histamine concentrations across a broad dynamic range of 10 to 1000 nM, with a lower limit of quantification set at 10 nM. Validation of the sensor's performance was conducted using electrochemical tools such as cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry, confirming its efficacy for real-time histamine monitoring in food products and biological environments. Additionally, the study underscores the sensor's excellent selectivity, long-term stability, and lightning-fast responsiveness, positioning it as a highly promising tool to enhance food safety and quality assurance.