Bioactive Papers: A Futuristic Tool for Health, Food, and Environmental Applications

Abstract

The high cost and the limited availability of tests and application devices often restrict the benefits of many breakthroughs in biotechnology and environmental science. There is a high need for low-cost bioassays, in health, food, and environmental diagnostics. Bioactive paper is a promising technology which could be applicable on a wide range of areas like health, food, and environment. Bioactive papers and paper diagnostics are getting a reality for their low cost, selectivity, and application flexibility. The potential of bioactive papers for healthcare, environmental, and industrial applications has recently captured wide attention. The concept of bioactive paper is about 200 years old. However, low-cost paper-based tests are commercially available only since the last century. In recent years bioactive paper has considerably attracted the research community as it shows opportunity to replace traditional expensive instruments for detections like gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, or high-performance liquid chromatography. Recently Bangladesh has also started limited research in the field of bioactive paper. Bangladesh envisions to ensure proper healthcare, safe food, water, and environment to all residence by 2041. Bioactive papers and diagnostics could be the future means to ensure better health and safer food and environment in Bangladesh at an affordable cost. With proper planning, fund allocation, and research capacity building, Bangladesh can take the opportunity to comply with local demands and become a global contributor in bioactive paper research, innovation, and product development by 2041.