Carrageenans are linear sulphated polysaccharides that are commonly added into confectionery products but may exert a detrimental effect to human health. A new and simpler way of carrageenan determination based on an optical sensor utilizing a methylcellulose/poly(n-butyl acrylate) (Mc/PnBA) composite membrane with immobilized methylene blue (MB) was developed. The hydrophilic Mc polymer membrane was successfully modified with a more hydrophobic acrylic polymer. This was to produce an insoluble membrane at room temperature where MB reagent could be immobilized to build an optical sensor for carrageenan analysis. The fluorescence intensity of MB in the composite membrane was found to be proportional to the carrageenan concentrations in a linear manner (1.0-20.0 mg L-1, R2 = 0.992) and with a detection limit at 0.4 mg L-1. Recovery of spiked carrageenan into commercial fruit juice products showed percentage recoveries between 90% and 102%. The optical sensor has the advantages of improved sensitivity and better selectivity to carrageenan when compared to other types of hydrocolloids. Its sensitivity was comparable to most sophisticated techniques for carageenan analysis but better than other types of optical sensors. Thus, this sensor provides a simple, rapid, and sensitive means for carageenan analysis.
A novel disposable electrochemical biosensor based on immobilized calf thymus double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on the carbon-based screen-printed electrode (SPE) is developed for rapid biorecognition of carrageenan by using methylene blue (MB) redox indicator. The biosensor protocol for the detection of carrageenan is based on the concept of competitive binding of positively charged MB to the negatively charged dsDNA and carrageenan. The decrement in the MB cathodic peak current (ipc) signal as a result of the released MB from the immobilized dsDNA, and attracted to the carrageenan can be monitored via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The biosensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity to carrageenan at low concentration without interference from other polyanions such as alginate, gum arabic and starch. Calibration of the biosensor with carrageenan exhibited an excellent linear dependence from 1-10 mg L-1 (R2 = 0.98) with a detection limit of 0.08 mg L-1. The DNA-based carrageenan biosensor showed satisfactory reproducibility with 5.6-6.9% (n = 3) relative standard deviations (RSD), and possessing several advantages such as simplicity, fast and direct application to real sample analysis without any prior extensive sample treatments, particularly for seaweeds and food analyses.
A potentiometric whole cell biosensor based on immobilized marine bacterium, Pseudomonas carrageenovora producing κ-carrageenase and glycosulfatase enzymes for specific and direct determination of κ-carrageenan, is described. The bacterial cells were immobilized on the self-plasticized hydrogen ion (H+)-selective acrylic membrane electrode surface to form a catalytic layer. Hydrogen ionophore I was incorporated in the poly(n-butyl acrylate) [poly(nBA)] as a pH ionophore. Catalytic decomposition of κ-carrageenan by the bienzymatic cascade reaction produced neoagarobiose, an inorganic sulfate ion and a proton. The latter was detectable by H+ ion transducer for indirect potentiometric quantification of κ-carrageenan concentration. The use of a disposable screen-printed Ag/AgCl electrode (SPE) provided no cleaning requirement and enabled κ-carrageenan detection to be carried out conveniently without cross contamination in a complex food sample. The SPE-based microbial biosensor response was found to be reproducible with high reproducibility and relative standard deviation (RSD) at 2.6% (n = 3). The whole cell biosensor demonstrated a broad dynamic linear response range to κ-carrageenan from 0.2-100 ppm in 20 mM phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at pH 7.5 with a detection limit at 0.05 ppm and a Nernstian sensitivity of 58.78±0.87 mV/decade (R2 = 0.995). The biosensor showed excellent selectivity towards κ-carrageenan compared to other types of carrageenans tested e.g. ι-carrageenan and λ-carrageenan. No pretreatment to the food sample was necessary when the developed whole cell biosensor was employed for direct assay of κ-carrageenan in dairy product.
Myospila pudica pudica (Stein, 1915) (Diptera: Muscidae) was recorded for the first time in Malaysia during a forensic entomological study conducted at a forested area of Forensic Science Simulation Site, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor. This species can be differentiated from other species of its genus by having R1 setulose on dorsal surface and R4+5 more or less setulose dorsally and ventrally. The legs, including tarsi, are testaceous yellow and palpi blackish. Lateral and ventral surface of scutellum bare below the level of bristles and the third antennal segment is brownish yellow. Other features including the diverging of inner margin of lower squama from scutellum margin. This is also the first report on the occurence of M. pudica pudica (Stein, 1915) on animal carcass.