Nano-biosensor for detecting ‘lycopene’

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About nano-biosensor-

• The sensor uses a portable smartphone-based upconverting reusable fluorescent paper strip.
• This transparent Upconversion Nanoparticles (UCNP) strip has been found to be sensitive to lycopene. 
• A simple smartphone camera can be used for detection. 
• Upconversion is a process where light can be emitted with photon energies higher than the light generating the excitation.
• The research team has found the newly developed transparent strip offering minimal scattering with maximum sensitivity despite not using any metal quenchers, in comparison to previous paper strips.
• An increase in strip hydrophobicity during the fabrication process complements the strip to selectively permeate and present an extraction-free substitute analysis for chromatography. 
• Hydrophobicity endows the strip with the capability to reuse the strip with approximately 100 per cent luminescence recovery.

What is Lycopene ?

• Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelons and papaya. 
• It is also synthesised by plants and microorganisms but cannot be synthesised by the human body and can only be obtained via diet.
• It is a potent antioxidant that helps prevent cancer and heart diseases. 
• Several epidemiologic studies have suggested a strong association between a high intake of lycopene-rich foods and a reduced risk of several cancers, notably prostate cancer.
• However, there are not many well-designed clinical trials conducted and the data remain inconclusive. 
• As lycopene has potent antioxidant effects, it may interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  
• The undesirable degradation of lycopene affects the health benefit of tomato and other tomato-based foods for the human body. 
• The quality of the produce is rated on the basis of the lycopene present in it and is priced accordingly.

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