| Title: | Edible optical microcavities for optical barcoding, authentication, and sensing |
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| Authors: | ID Rehman Anwar, Abdur, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Kralj, Slavko, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Humar, Matjaž, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-51128-3
 PDF - Presentation file, download (1,89 MB)
MD5: 02F3BBF15C53772E51E5D6C096B867A4
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  IJS - Jožef Stefan Institute
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| Abstract: | The safety, authenticity, and traceability of food and pharmaceutical products are critical challenges, especially in the context of widespread counterfeiting. Most existing anti-counterfeiting and sensing technologies are applied externally to packaging, making them vulnerable to tampering. A more robust approach is to incorporate them directly into edible products. Whispering-gallery modes (WGMs), highly sensitive optical resonances supported by spherical microcavities, provide a promising platform due to their environmental responsiveness and spectral uniqueness. Here, we demonstrate edible WGM microcavities based on chlorophyll-coated silica microspheres. Monodisperse microspheres exhibit stable WGM resonances under continuous-wave laser excitation, with quality factors ranging from 2,000 to 10,000. Individual microsphere diameters are determined with a precision of approximately 40 nm. When embedded in low-refractive-index agarose matrices, the microspheres generate size-specific spectral signatures that function as optical barcodes and remain stable for at least six months. Based on intrinsic size variations, we further demonstrate edible physical unclonable functions (PUFs) with stable and unique optical identifiers. In addition, the microcavities enable sugar concentration measurements with uncertainties as low as 0.23 percentage points and pH sensing with an accuracy of approximately 0.3 pH units, when embedded in a pH-responsive hydrogel. These results establish edible WGM microcavities as a multifunctional platform for secure labeling, sensing, and anti-counterfeiting in consumable products. |
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| Keywords: | edible materials, whispering gallery modes, optical barcodes, physical unclonable functions, sensors |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 04.11.2025 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 25.04.2025 |
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| Publication date: | 14.07.2026 |
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| Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-11 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16, article no. 21935 |
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| Source: | Združeno kraljestvo |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-31349  |
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| UDC: | 535 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2045-2322 |
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| DOI: | 2045-2322 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 286022147 |
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| Copyright: | © The Author(s) 2026 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 24. 7. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 29.07.2026 |
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| Views: | 56 |
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| Downloads: | 51 |
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