# NFC-enabled sensing platform for the onsite determination of asparagine in food

## TL;DR

A new NFC-powered sensor detects asparagine in food, helping prevent the formation of harmful acrylamide during cooking.

## Contribution

The first batteryless, wireless, and low-cost sensor for on-site asparagine detection using NFC and a paper-based gas sensor.

## Key findings

- The sensor achieves a detection limit of 3.28 μg/mL for free asparagine.
- The system correlates well with commercial assays for accuracy.
- The platform costs less than $1.50 per test, making it affordable for food safety applications.

## Abstract

The formation of acrylamide, a potent neurotoxin, during the cooking of common foods like potatoes, and coffee presents a significant food safety challenge. This reaction is driven by free asparagine, yet current methods for its quantification are lab-based, slow, and expensive. To address this, we developed the first fully-integrated, batteryless, and wireless point-of-need sensor for rapid detection of free asparagine. Our innovation lies in coupling a disposable, chemically-functionalized paper-based gas sensor with a Near Field Communication (NFC) integrated circuit. This architecture allows a standard smartphone to wirelessly power the sensor and receive real-time data. The device operates by detecting ammonia gas, which is released during the enzymatic degradation of asparagine. Our proof-of-concept system achieves a detection limit of 3.28 μg/mL, sufficient for quantifying asparagine in food products. By eliminating the need for external power sources or readers, this technology provides a practical and cost-effective tool to improve quality control and safety in food manufacturing.

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•Developed a paper-based, enzyme-mediated gas-phase sensing platform for free asparagine.•Smartphone-operated, battery-free system via. NFC enables real-time on-site quantification.•Achieved 3.28 μg/mL detection limit with strong correlation to commercial assays.•Low-cost (< US $1.5/test) platform advances portable food-safety and biosensing tools.

Developed a paper-based, enzyme-mediated gas-phase sensing platform for free asparagine.

Smartphone-operated, battery-free system via. NFC enables real-time on-site quantification.

Achieved 3.28 μg/mL detection limit with strong correlation to commercial assays.

Low-cost (< US $1.5/test) platform advances portable food-safety and biosensing tools.