Biosensors & Bioelectronics

A New Tool for the Detection of Horsemeat Adulteration in Raw Meat

Abstract

Ricardo Adriano Dorledo de Faria, Iden H, Bharucha E, Lins VFC, Younès Messaddeq, Matencio T and Heneine LGD

This work deals with the development of an impedimetric immunosensor sensitive to horse immunoglobulin G. The biosensing platform involve the electrodeposition of polyaniline onto screen-printed carbon electrode as electrochemical transducer matrix. Cyclic Voltammetry and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to monitor the formation of the recognition layer through the immobilization of anti-horse IgG antibodies on the conductive polymer. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to test the specific detection of horse serum in PBS buffer, indicating that the immunosensor was sensitive to the target analyte and without any response to heterologous sera (swine and bovine). The constructed sensors were first tested with PBS homogenates of commercial samples of raw ground horsemeat, pork and beef diluted at 10-5, 10-4 and 10-3 % w/v in PBS. The total time for performing the test was approximately 72 minutes and a selective response of the device is obtained with a 0.004% limit of detection.