Seeing the Unseen: Optical Fiber Biosensors for Real-Time Food Safety

Mabuhay! I am Khent Ivan and I come from the fruits basket of the Philippines—Davao Region. I will be moving between the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Science in Wroclaw, Poland and the University of Milano Bicocca in Milan, Italy to conduct my research centered on the use of fiber optics in food safety applications.

Perhaps I can describe myself through the lens of my phone camera. The photo with the Alps is a manifestation of my fondness for scenic views (fun fact: Zurich was my first solo trip destination in Europe). I would absolutely choose an immersion in nature over the bustling city without a second thought! I cannot get through the day without playing some music, especially from TWICE. So, from headphones to epic stadium booms, seeing them was truly a memory to keep. I’m also a big cat person, and Bruno Mars right there is just one of our adorable cats at home.

Imagine a device capable of spotting dangerous pathogens—disease-causing microorganisms— lurking in food before it even reaches your plate. That’s exactly what we’re building: biosensors based on optical fibers that detect bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. And yes, it is based on optical fibers, the very component that connects you to the internet! How can we make it work? 1. We’re incorporating nanomaterials into the glass fiber using sol-gel technologies. These materials are designed to improve the sensing ability of the device when a bacteria interacts with the sensor. 2. The fiber will be coated with biomolecules that are very specific to the bacteria of interest. Think of it is a velcro where the bacteria snags and sticks. 3. When light travels through the optical fiber, it sends signals to the detector indicating the presence of bacteria. By carefully designing the sensor, we can even detect which bacteria are present and estimate their quantity in our food! Thus, no more waiting days for lab results! This technology could let food producers scan for contamination in real-time, keeping food safer and reducing waste.