A green chemistry case study: sensor-based methods for bioactive compounds determination in food

The analytical methodologies generate a large amount of chemical waste, resulting in a great environmental and human impact. Green Chemistry started in a research for practical alternatives to these methodologies, in order to replace polluting methodologies with clean ones. This paper evaluated a new sensor-based method for the determination of bioactive compounds in food by means of LCA and LCC tools. Specifically, the determination of biogenic amines was studied by comparing the traditional method, an HPLC analysis after pre-column derivatization, with a new sensor method. The LCA results highlighted that the sensor method has a minor environmental impact if compared to the traditional one. Moreover, the new method resulted more efficient in terms of energy expenditures and in time). The Eco-care matrix tool was applied, and sensor-based method results to be sustainable in the human health, economic and environmental areas.