A simple one-pot determination of both total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of honey by polymer chemosensors.

• Sensors (film-shaped polymers) change their colour in presence of phenols. • The sensory materials are polymers with chemically anchored sensory motifs. • Sensors allow onepod determination of total phenolic content & antioxidant activity. • Proof of concept: 8 honeys were measured with the proposed sensors and a smartphone. We have developed a new method for the rapid (2 h) and inexpensive (materials cost < 0.02 €/sample) "2-in-1" determination of the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (AOX) in honey samples. The method is based on hydrophilic colorimetric films with diazonium groups, which react with phenols rendering highly colored azo groups. The TPC of the sample is correlated to its trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity ( TEAC ). The intensity of the color allows us to determine both TPC and TEAC of the sample by the analysis of a picture taken with a smartphone that is analysed by the use of the color-definition-parameters (RGB). The controlled light conditions and the systematic use of the same camera avoid the periodical calibration of the system improving the efficiency of the method. Thus, it is a simple method carried out by non-specialized personnel and it involves much lower money and time investment compared to traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]