TY  - JOUR
A1  - Vahidpour, Farnoosh
A1  - Guthman, Eric
A1  - Arreola, Julia
A1  - Alghazali, Yousef H. M.
A1  - Wagner, Torsten
A1  - Schöning, Michael Josef
T1  - Assessment of Various Process Parameters for Optimized Sterilization Conditions Using a Multi-Sensing Platform
JF  - Foods
N2  - In this study, an online multi-sensing platform was engineered to simultaneously evaluate various process parameters of food package sterilization using gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The platform enabled the validation of critical aseptic parameters. In parallel, one series of microbiological count reduction tests was performed using highly resistant spores of B. atrophaeus DSM 675 to act as the reference method for sterility validation. By means of the multi-sensing platform together with microbiological tests, we examined sterilization process parameters to define the most effective conditions with regards to the highest spore kill rate necessary for aseptic packaging. As these parameters are mutually associated, a correlation between different factors was elaborated. The resulting correlation indicated the need for specific conditions regarding the applied H₂O₂ gas temperature, the gas flow and concentration, the relative humidity and the exposure time. Finally, the novel multi-sensing platform together with the mobile electronic readout setup allowed for the online and on-site monitoring of the sterilization process, selecting the best conditions for sterility and, at the same time, reducing the use of the time-consuming and costly microbiological tests that are currently used in the food package industry.
KW  - spore kill rate
KW  - sterility
KW  - aseptic parameters
KW  - multi-sensing platform
KW  - gaseous hydrogen peroxide
Y1  - 2022
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods11050660
SN  - 2304-8158
N1  - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Sensors and Biosensors Application for Food Industries"
VL  - 11
IS  - 5
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Vahidpour, Farnoosh
A1  - Alghazali, Yousef
A1  - Akca, Sevilay
A1  - Hommes, Gregor
A1  - Schöning, Michael Josef
T1  - An Enzyme-Based Interdigitated Electrode-Type Biosensor for Detecting Low Concentrations of H₂O₂ Vapor/Aerosol
JF  - Chemosensors
N2  - This work introduces a novel method for the detection of H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol of low concentrations, which is mainly applied in the sterilization of equipment in medical industry. Interdigitated electrode (IDE) structures have been fabricated by means of microfabrication techniques. A differential setup of IDEs was prepared, containing an active sensor element (active IDE) and a passive sensor element (passive IDE), where the former was immobilized with an enzymatic membrane of horseradish peroxidase that is selective towards H₂O₂. Changes in the IDEs’ capacitance values (active sensor element versus passive sensor element) under H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol atmosphere proved the detection in the concentration range up to 630 ppm with a fast response time (<60 s). The influence of relative humidity was also tested with regard to the sensor signal, showing no cross-sensitivity. The repeatability assessment of the IDE biosensors confirmed their stable capacitive signal in eight subsequent cycles of exposure to H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol. Room-temperature detection of H₂O₂ vapor/aerosol with such miniaturized biosensors will allow a future three-dimensional, flexible mapping of aseptic chambers and help to evaluate sterilization assurance in medical industry.
Y1  - 2022
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10060202
SN  - 2227-9040
N1  - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Bioinspired Chemical Sensors and Micro-Nano Devices"
VL  - 10
IS  - 6
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  -