Financial boost for bioactive paper research to detect pathogens and toxins

Burnaby, B.C. -- Researchers working to commercialize bioactive paper received a second-term, five-year boost of $7.5-million last month from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC). The federal funds will support Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network's five research platforms formed to commercialize bioactive paper.

Bioactive paper has global human health implications, as it can provide fast, easy and inexpensive detection of pathogens and/or toxins in food, water and air. Sentinel researcher and McMaster University Professor Dr. John Brennan's recently created a toxin-detecting dipstick (which detects organophosphate pesticides) and the consensus is that bioactive paper strips will be able to detect a range of biohazards affecting humans and animals worldwide.

"Canada leads the world in the development of bioactive paper," said Dr. Robert Pelton, Sentinel's Scientific Director, McMaster University Professor and a Canada Research Chair. "The pesticide sensor paper is the first example of Brennan's printed sol-gel encapsulated sensors -- a new technology platform. This paper has generated enormous interest and Sentinel is working with industry partners towards pilot scale production of the sensors. More sensors are in the pipeline aimed at food safety."

The Network will be able to accelerate the development of simple, rapid and inexpensive "tests" such as anti-listeria meat wrap, water and food quality dipsticks, trace contaminant alert tests and pesticide detection paper-sensors. Bioactive paper's low-cost, simplicity and rapid response make it an attractive food and water safety tool for developed and developing countries.

For more information, go to: http://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000402470