US’ Clarkson University develops sensor to identify spoilage in cosmetics

Researchers from Clarkson University in the US have developed a paper-based sensor that can detect if cosmetics products are spoilt.

The low-cost, portable sensor incorporates redox active inorganic particles that change colour upon interaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate in aged or spoilt products.

In addition to cosmetics, the sensor can be used to identify spoiled food, detect antioxidants, and be used for medicinal plants.

The researchers presented their findings at the 254^th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) held in Washington DC, US.

Clarkson University chemistry and biomolecular science professor Silvana Andreescu said: “My lab has built a versatile sensing platform that incorporates all the needed reagents for detection in a piece of paper.

“At the same time, it is adaptable to different targets, including food contaminants, antioxidants and free radicals that indicate spoilage."

Andreescu expects the technology to be incorporated into smart labels following further analysis, which would alert users when a product needs to be discarded.

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Image: Smart labels for cosmetics and food could one day tell consumers when to throw a product out. Photo: courtesy of Silvana Andreescu.