Biogenic amines- and sulfides-responsive gold nanoparticles for real-time visual detection of raw meat, fish, crustaceans, and preserved meat.

A colorimetric probe based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) which is sensitive to two important volatile biogenic markers, i.e., dimethyl sulfide and histamine, is developed to monitor the spoilage of raw meat, fish, crustaceans, and preserved meat. The colorimetric detection is attributed to the transformation of the non-aggregated form of AuNPs to its aggregated form upon binding of the biomarkers. The AuNPs enable the detection of dimethyl sulfide and histamine at limits of 0.5 and 0.035 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the probe exhibits excellent selectivity for those markers in the presence of other volatiles commonly generated by spoiled real meat and seafood. A sequential and positive causative relationship is exhibited among the storage period, the total bacteria count, the DMS evolved, and the chemosensing signal generated. Thus, this probe serves as a nondestructive and cost-effective detector for the real-time monitoring of meat spoilage.