Abstract: A portable product authentication device and method for analyzing key ingredients and the relative amounts of key ingredients in products which in turn enables authentication and monitoring products for authenticity, fraud and quality control is disclosed. Particular light-emissive compounds can be used to identify and quantitate the relative levels of key ingredients in the products. The invention includes a probe assembly for providing a source of light to irradiate a sample product, an optical detector to detect emitted light from the irradiated product and a controller to determine the authenticity or quality of the sample product by comparing the emitted light to a standard. A small sample of the product to be authenticated is tested on site (e.g., at the point of manufacture or at the point of distribution) thereby giving immediate feedback as to its authenticity or quality. The sample, together with the light-emissive compound may be placed on a chip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-site verification of product authentication and quality includes a microplate having a substrate with a light-emissive compound thereon. The substrate provides immobilization of the light-emissive compounds and provides a three-dimensional environment similar to free solution for reactions with the product sample to occur. The microplate may include any material having desired light reflective properties and a surface to retain the light-emissive compounds therein. A metered amount of light-emissive compound is placed on the microplate by any desired metering method, such as hand-metering by skilled technicians, automatic metering using robotic equipment, or printing using for example, piezoelectric dispensing technology. In this respect, the light-emissive compound is placed on a microplate, with the microplate. Once the light-emissive compound is applied to the substrate, the microplate may be sent to the test site where product testing is to be performed.