New polymer material napkin can detect biohazard

By wiping the surface or absorbing spillage, a simple white napkin made of a special polymer material can detect pathogens or other potential biological hazards. Nanofibers made from polylactic acid (PLA, a polymer extracted from corn), having only 1/800 of the human hair size, are decorated with antibodies as biosensors. Because thousands of biosensors are hidden on the very large inner surface, this napkin can collect a pathogen and expose it effectively for easy inspection. This is the new research topic mentioned by Margaret Frey of Cornell University in the report of the American Chemical Society Conference held in San Francisco on September 11.

Frey's team used current to make a fine PLA fiber fabric -- this technique is called electrospinning -- and modified it with biotin, an active vitamin B. Biotin carries antibodies against E. coli, and when the bacteria are detected, the fibers change color. Frey said "He can act on E. coli in the water or on the surface of the object." His recent work will soon be published in the Journal of Membrane Science. "Now is just a pathogen, but it may be hundreds later." The Cornell team can only monitor the pathogens they are looking for - so they can attach the appropriate antibodies to the fibers - but not yet Determine how low the detectable bacterial concentration can be.

Frey said: "As long as you can use napkins, you don't need a trained chemist to detect biohazards." They are also evaluating other fiber compounds that are different from PLA and can absorb water. Such hydrophilic substances may further increase the ease of use. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, tissue paper will not only be used to fight sneezing, it can also find the culprit that is causing you to get sick.

Source: China Packaging Federation