本研究以電化學阻抗頻譜分析法為核心技術,開發了一套辨別天然愛玉凍之快速檢驗方法。經市面通路收集各式愛玉凍樣品後,比較天然愛玉凍、市售愛玉凍及人工愛玉凍之Nyquist plot及其等效電路元件數值,發現天然愛玉凍的電荷轉移阻抗(Charge transfer resistance, R_(CT))明顯大於其他樣品,為最具辨別潛力之指標。改變天然愛玉凍標準製作條件之情形下,歸納實驗結果可推論出R_(CT)數值之變化受到電化學活性物質含量及輔助電解質濃度兩大因素之影響甚鉅,並且建議可將辨別天然愛玉凍之閥值設定在R_(CT)數值為2,500Ω以上者。透過Bode plot之解析得知,在10^3~10^(5.5)Hz區間內,任選一個固定檢測頻率下,皆可將辨別天然愛玉凍之閥值訂定在Log Z數值為3.4以上者,此時所需檢驗時間將由原先的五分鐘縮短至十秒鐘以內。本方法特色為易操作、檢測速度快、低成本,得以滿足快速篩檢的需求。
The aim of this study was to develop a rapid screening method for distinguishing pure awkeo-jelly based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. Compared to the Nyquist plot and its equivalent circuit elements among the pure, artificial, and commercial awkeo-jelly samples, the charge transfer resistance (R_(CT)) was found to be the most distinguishable index, in which the R_(CT) value of pure awkeo-jelly was clearly higher than that of the other samples. After altering the standard fabrication parameters of pure awkeo-jelly, the variations of R_(CT) values were found to be mainly attributed to the content of both electrochemically active species and supporting electrolytes existed in the sample solutions. It was also suggested the R_(CT) threshold for discriminating pure awkeo-jelly could be set as higher than 2,500 Ω. As from the Bode plot, since the logarithmic impedance response (Log Z) of pure awkeo-jelly was generally greater than 3.4 at any designated frequency between 10^3 ~ 10^(5.5) Hz, it was therefore recommended the Log Z threshold for discriminating pure awkeo-jelly could be set at higher than 3.4. The data acquisition time could be substantially reduced from 5 minutes to less than 10 seconds. The characteristics of the proposed method are its simplicity, high-throughput, and cost-effectiveness, offering the potential for rapid screening purposes.