Editorial

4 pages, 187 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety

by Long Wu

Biosensors 2023, 13(10), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13100928 - 16 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1114

Due to growing concerns about food safety and public health, the contaminants or residues of various harmful substances in food have received much attention in recent years [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

10 pages, 8482 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Non-Destructive Screening of Sodium Metabisulfite Residue on Shrimp by SERS with Copy Paper Loaded with AgNP

by Chao Yuan, Yanan Zhao, Xingjun Xi and Yisheng Chen

Biosensors 2023, 13(6), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13060575 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1506

Abstract

In order to prompt the appearance of the shrimp color, sodium metabisulfite is frequently added in shrimp processing, which is, however, prohibited in China and many other countries. This study aimed to establish a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method for screening sodium metabisulfite [...] Read more.

In order to prompt the appearance of the shrimp color, sodium metabisulfite is frequently added in shrimp processing, which is, however, prohibited in China and many other countries. This study aimed to establish a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method for screening sodium metabisulfite residues on shrimp surfaces, in a non-destructive manner. The analysis was carried out using a portable Raman spectrometer jointly with copy paper loaded with silver nanoparticles as the substrate material. The SERS response of sodium metabisulfite gives two fingerprint peaks at 620 (strong) and 927 (medium) cm⁻¹, respectively. This enabled unambiguous confirmation of the targeted chemical. The sensitivity of the SERS detection method was determined to be 0.1 mg/mL, which was equal to residual sodium metabisulfite on the shrimp surface at 0.31 mg/kg. The quantitative relationship between the 620 cm⁻¹ peak intensities and the concentrations of sodium metabisulfite was established. The linear fitting equation was y = 2375x + 8714 with R² = 0.985. Reaching an ideal balance in simplicity, sensitivity, and selectivity, this study demonstrates that the proposed method is ideally suitable for in-site and non-destructive screening of sodium metabisulfite residues in seafood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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12 pages, 4247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Europium Nanosphere-Based Time-Resolved Fluorescent Immunochromatographic Assay for the Rapid Screening of 4,4′-Dinitrocarbanilide: Aiming at Improving Strip Method Performance

by Ming Zou, Yongkang Yin, Liuchuan Guo, Qidi Zhang, Jinyan Li, Hong Zhang, Qian Song, Zhaojie Li, Li Wang, Xiang Ao and Xiao Liang

Biosensors 2023, 13(5), 518; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13050518 - 04 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235

Abstract

Considering that the strip method is simple and convenient for users, a Europium nanosphere-based time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) for the rapid screening of 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) was developed to improve the performance of strip assays. After optimization, TRFICA showed IC₅₀, the [...] Read more.

Considering that the strip method is simple and convenient for users, a Europium nanosphere-based time-resolved fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) for the rapid screening of 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) was developed to improve the performance of strip assays. After optimization, TRFICA showed IC₅₀, the limit of detection, and cut-off values of 0.4, 0.07, and 5.0 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. No significant cross-reactivity (CR < 0.1%) with 15 DNC analogs was observed in the developed method. TRFICA was validated for DNC detection in spiked chicken homogenates, and recoveries ranged from 77.3% to 92.7%, with coefficients of variation of <14.9%. Moreover, the time needed for the detection procedure, including the sample pre-treatment, was less than 30 min for TRFICA, which had never been achieved before in other immunoassays. The newly developed strip test is a rapid, sensitive, quantitative, and cost-effective on-site screening technique for DNC analysis in chicken muscle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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9 pages, 7059 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

HPTLC-Bioluminescent Bioautography Screening of Herbal Teas for Adulteration with Hypolipidemic Drugs

by Yuting Wang, Xingjun Xi, Liao Wang and Yisheng Chen

Biosensors 2023, 13(3), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13030392 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621

Abstract

Teas based on nutraceutical herbs are an effective tool against hyperlipidemia. However, the adulteration with chemical drugs is frequently detected. By coupling bioluminescent bioautography with high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), we developed a facile method suitable for screening hypolipidemic drugs (ciprofibrate and bezafibrate) [...] Read more.

Teas based on nutraceutical herbs are an effective tool against hyperlipidemia. However, the adulteration with chemical drugs is frequently detected. By coupling bioluminescent bioautography with high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), we developed a facile method suitable for screening hypolipidemic drugs (ciprofibrate and bezafibrate) adulteration in five different herbal teas (lotus leaf, Apocynum, Ginkgo biloba, Gynostemia and chrysanthemum). First, the sensitivity of a bioluminescent bacteria to the analyte was evaluated on different HPTLC layer materials, revealing that the best performance was achieved on the silica gel layer. On this basis, sample extracts were separated on silica gel plates via a standardized HPTLC procedure, forming a selective detection window for the targeted compound. Then, the separation results were rapidly visualized by the bioluminescence inhibition of bacteria cells within 6 min after dipping. The observed inhibition displayed an acceptable limit of detection (<20 ng/zone or 2 mg/kg) and linearity (R² ≥ 0.9279) within a wide concentration range (50–1000 ng/zone). Furthermore, the optimized method was performed with artificially adulterated samples and the recovery rates were determined to be within the range of 71% to 91%, bracing its practical reliability. Showing superiorly high simplicity, throughput and specificity, this work demonstrated that the analytical method jointly based on HPTLC and bioautography was an ideal tool for screening bioactive compounds in complex biological matrix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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15 pages, 4131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional Smart ZnSe-Nanostructure-Based Fluorescent Aptasensor for the Detection of Ochratoxin A

by Muhammad Azhar Hayat Nawaz, Muhammad Waseem Fazal, Naeem Akhtar, Mian Hasnain Nawaz, Akhtar Hayat and Cong Yu

Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100844 - 08 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1801

Abstract

Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation of rationally designed zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanostructures to achieve highly negatively charged ZnSe nanostructures. A Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method was used to synthesize three types of ZnSe nanostructures, i.e., nanorods, µ-spheres and nanoclusters, as characterized by a [...] Read more.

Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation of rationally designed zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanostructures to achieve highly negatively charged ZnSe nanostructures. A Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method was used to synthesize three types of ZnSe nanostructures, i.e., nanorods, µ-spheres and nanoclusters, as characterized by a zeta potential analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and BET, which were labeled as type A, B and C. Three different solvents were used for the synthesis of type A, B and C ZnSe nanostructures, keeping other synthesis conditions such as temperature, pressure and precursors ratio constant. Based on two heating time intervals, 6 and 9 h, types A, B and C were further divided into types A6, A9, B6, B9, C6 and C9. ZnSe nanostructures were further evaluated based on their fluorescent quenching efficiency. The maximum fluorescence quenching effect was exhibited by the ZnSe-B6 type, which can be attributed to its highly negative surface charge that favored its strong interaction with cationic dye Rhodamine B (Rh-B). Further, the optimized ZnSe-B6 was used to fabricate an aptasensor for the detection of a food-based toxin, ochratoxin-A (OTA). The developed aptasensor exhibited a limit of detection of 0.07 ng/L with a wide linear range of 0.1 to 200 ng/L. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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14 pages, 6159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Response for Foodborne Pathogens Detection by Au Nanoparticles Decorated ZnO Nanosheets Gas Sensor

by Cheng Zhao, Shanshan Xu, Jing Wei, Siqi Xie, Jinlei Wei, Jingting Han, Zhaohuan Zhang, Haiquan Liu, Jinsheng Cheng, Yong Zhao and Yongheng Zhu

Biosensors 2022, 12(10), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100803 - 28 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1592

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is a hazardous foodborne pathogen that is able to cause acute meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis to humans. The efficient detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, which has been verified as a biomarker for the exhalation of Listeria monocytogenes, can feasibly evaluate whether the [...] Read more.

Listeria monocytogenes is a hazardous foodborne pathogen that is able to cause acute meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis to humans. The efficient detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, which has been verified as a biomarker for the exhalation of Listeria monocytogenes, can feasibly evaluate whether the bacteria are contained in food. Herein, we developed an outstanding 3-hydroxy-2-butanone gas sensor based on the microelectromechanical systems using Au/ZnO NS as a sensing material. In this work, ZnO nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction, and Au nanoparticles (~5.5 nm) were prepared via an oleylamine reduction method. Then, an ultrasonic treatment was carried out to modified Au nanoparticles onto ZnO nanosheets. The XRD, BET, TEM, and XPS were used to characterize their morphology, microstructure, catalytic structure, specific surface area, and chemical composition. The response of the 1.0% Au/ZnO NS sensors vs. 25 ppm 3-hydroxy-2-butanone was up to 174.04 at 230 °C. Moreover, these sensors presented fast response/recovery time (6 s/7 s), great selectivity, and an outstanding limit of detection (lower than 0.5 ppm). This work is full of promise for developing a nondestructive, rapid and practical sensor, which would improve Listeria monocytogenes evaluation in foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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Graphical abstract

8 pages, 1378 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Smartphone Integrated Platform for Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensitive and Selective Determination of Dipicolinic Acid

by Xiang Li, Junsong Wu, Huaguang Hu, Fangfang Liu and Jialian Wang

Biosensors 2022, 12(8), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12080668 - 22 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1552

Abstract

A desirable lanthanide-based ratiometric fluorescence probe was designed as a multifunctional nanoplatform for the determination of dipicolinic acid (DPA), a unique bacterial endospore biomarker, with high selectivity and sensitivity. The carbon dots (CDs) with blue emission wavelengths at 470 nm are developed with [...] Read more.

A desirable lanthanide-based ratiometric fluorescence probe was designed as a multifunctional nanoplatform for the determination of dipicolinic acid (DPA), a unique bacterial endospore biomarker, with high selectivity and sensitivity. The carbon dots (CDs) with blue emission wavelengths at 470 nm are developed with europium ion (Eu³⁺) to form Eu³⁺/CDs fluorescent probes. DPA can specifically combine with Eu³⁺ and then transfer energy from DPA to Eu³⁺ sequentially through the antenna effect, resulting in a distinct increase in the red fluorescence emission peak at 615 nm. The fluorescence intensity ratio of Eu³⁺/CDs (fluorescence intensity at 615 nm/fluorescence intensity at 470 nm) showed good linearity and low detection limit. The developed ratiometric nanoplatform possesses great potential for application in complex matrices owing to its specificity for DPA. In addition, the integration of a smartphone with the Color Picker APP installed enabled point-of-care testing (POCT) with quantitative measurement capabilities, confirming the great potential of the as-prepared measurement platform for on-site testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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11 pages, 2131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Fluorescent Aptasensors Based on G-Quadruplex Quenching Ability for Ochratoxin A and Potassium Ions Detection

by Cheng Yang, Xiaolin Chu, Li Zeng, Amina Rhouati, Fathimath Abbas, Shengnan Cui and Daiqin Lin

Biosensors 2022, 12(6), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12060423 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1958

Abstract

G-quadruplexes have received significant attention in aptasensing due to their structural polymorphisms and unique binding properties. In this work, we exploited the fluorescence-quenching properties of G-quadruplex to develop a simple, fast, and sensitive platform for fluorescence detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and potassium [...] Read more.

G-quadruplexes have received significant attention in aptasensing due to their structural polymorphisms and unique binding properties. In this work, we exploited the fluorescence-quenching properties of G-quadruplex to develop a simple, fast, and sensitive platform for fluorescence detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and potassium ions (K⁺) with a label-free fluorophore and quencher strategy. The quenching ability of G-quadruplex was confirmed during the recognition process after the formation of the G-quadruplex structure and the quenching of the labeled fluorescein fluorophore (FAM). The fluorescence-quenching mechanism was studied by introducing specific ligands of G-quadruplex to enhance the quenching effect, to show that this phenomenon is due to photo-induced electron transfer. The proposed fluorescence sensor based on G-quadruplex quenching showed excellent selectivity with a low detection limit of 0.19 nM and 0.24 µM for OTA and K⁺, respectively. Moreover, we demonstrated that our detection method enables accurate concentration determination of real samples with the prospect of practical application. Therefore, G-quadruplexes can be excellent candidates as quenchers, and the strategy implemented in the study can be extended to an aptasensor with G-quadruplex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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15 pages, 4932 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ Ions in Macroalgae with Heteroelement-Doped Carbon-Based Fluorescent Probe

by Hui Xu, Xin You, Yue Lu, Peng Liang, Zhihui Luo, Yiwei Wang, Shaoxiao Zeng and Hongliang Zeng

Biosensors 2022, 12(5), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12050359 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

Kelp and laver are large economic macroalgae in China, which are rich in nutrients, especially Mn and Zn. Excessive intake of Mn and Zn can be harmful to the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a convenient and efficient method to [...] Read more.

Kelp and laver are large economic macroalgae in China, which are rich in nutrients, especially Mn and Zn. Excessive intake of Mn and Zn can be harmful to the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a convenient and efficient method to detect the contents of Mn and Zn in macroalgae. In this experiment, red carbon dots (R-CDs) doped with N and S elements were prepared by the thermal solvent method. The obtained R-CDs displayed excitation wavelength-independent fluorescent emission in the red spectral region. The R-CDs were used to construct a fluorescent probe for specific recognition of Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺, achieving high-sensitivity detection of Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The detection results showed a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and Mn²⁺ concentration, and the calculated detection limit was 0.23 nmol/L. For the detection of Zn²⁺, the detection limit was estimated as 19.1 nmol/L. At the same time, the content distribution of Mn and Zn elements in macroalgae produced in Fujian was investigated by the constructed fluorescence probe. It was found that kelp, laver, and their products are rich in Mn and Zn elements, and the content of Mn and Zn elements in laver is higher than that in kelp, which can be used as the optimal food supplement for Mn and Zn elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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12 pages, 1949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design of a Quencher-Free Fluorescent Aptasensor for Ochratoxin A Detection in Red Wine Based on the Guanine-Quenching Ability

by Cheng Yang, Fathimath Abbas, Amina Rhouati, Yingying Sun, Xiaolin Chu, Shengnan Cui, Bingbing Sun and Changying Xue

Biosensors 2022, 12(5), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12050297 - 05 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2097

Abstract

This study describes a quencher-free fluorescent aptasensor for ochratoxin A (OTA) detection using the specific quenching ability of guanine for fluorescein (FAM) molecules based on photo-induced electron transfer (PIET). In this strategy, OTA is detected by monitoring the fluorescence change induced by the [...] Read more.

This study describes a quencher-free fluorescent aptasensor for ochratoxin A (OTA) detection using the specific quenching ability of guanine for fluorescein (FAM) molecules based on photo-induced electron transfer (PIET). In this strategy, OTA is detected by monitoring the fluorescence change induced by the conformational change of the aptamer after target binding. A new shorter OTA aptamer compromising three guanine bases at the 5′ end was used in this study. This new aptamer, named G3-OTAapt1-FAM (F1), was labeled with FAM on the 3′ end as a fluorophore. In order to increase the binding affinity of the aptamer and OTA, G3-OTAapt2-FAM (F2) was designed; this added a pair of complementary bases at the end compared with F1. To prevent the strong self-quenching of F2, a complementary chain, A13, was added. Although the F1 aptasensor was simpler to implement, the sensitivity of the F2 aptasensor with A13 was better than that of F1. The proposed F1 and F2 sensors can detect OTA with a concentration as low as 0.69 nmol/L and 0.36 nmol/L, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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Review

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15 pages, 2243 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Bioelectronic Sensing: Recent Advances and Applications in Biomedicine and Food Safety

by Si Wu, Shijing Wu, Xinyue Zhang, Tao Feng and Long Wu

Biosensors 2023, 13(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13010093 - 06 Jan 2023

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3757

Abstract

Due to the lack of efficient bioelectronic interfaces, the communication between biology and electronics has become a great challenge, especially in constructing bioelectronic sensing. As natural polysaccharide biomaterials, chitosan-based hydrogels exhibit the advantages of flexibility, biocompatibility, mechanical tunability, and stimuli sensitivity, and could [...] Read more.

Due to the lack of efficient bioelectronic interfaces, the communication between biology and electronics has become a great challenge, especially in constructing bioelectronic sensing. As natural polysaccharide biomaterials, chitosan-based hydrogels exhibit the advantages of flexibility, biocompatibility, mechanical tunability, and stimuli sensitivity, and could serve as an excellent interface for bioelectronic sensors. Based on the fabrication approaches, interaction mechanisms, and bioelectronic communication modalities, this review divided chitosan-based hydrogels into four types, including electrode-based hydrogels, conductive materials conjugated hydrogels, ionically conductive hydrogels, and redox-based hydrogels. To introduce the enhanced performance of bioelectronic sensors, as a complementary alternative, the incorporation of nanoparticles and redox species in chitosan-based hydrogels was discussed. In addition, the multifunctional properties of chitosan-based composite hydrogels enable their applications in biomedicine (e.g., smart skin patches, wood healing, disease diagnosis) and food safety (e.g., electrochemical sensing, smart sensing, artificial bioelectronic tongue, fluorescence sensors, surface-enhanced Raman scattering). We believe that this review will shed light on the future development of chitosan-based biosensing hydrogels for micro-implantable devices and human–machine interactions, as well as potential applications in medicine, food, agriculture, and other fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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19 pages, 3118 KiB

Open AccessReview

Determination Methods of the Risk Factors in Food Based on Nanozymes: A Review

by Yihan Lang, Biao Zhang, Danfeng Cai, Wanjun Tu, Jingyi Zhang, Xuping Shentu, Zihong Ye and Xiaoping Yu

Biosensors 2023, 13(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13010069 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2299

Abstract

Food safety issues caused by foodborne pathogens, chemical pollutants, and heavy metals have aroused widespread concern because they are closely related to human health. Nanozyme-based biosensors have excellent characteristics such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness and have been used to detect the [...] Read more.

Food safety issues caused by foodborne pathogens, chemical pollutants, and heavy metals have aroused widespread concern because they are closely related to human health. Nanozyme-based biosensors have excellent characteristics such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness and have been used to detect the risk factors in foods. In this work, the common detection methods for pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, heavy metals, pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, and illegal additives are firstly reviewed. Then, the principles and applications of immunosensors based on various nanozymes are reviewed and explained. Applying nanozymes to the detection of pathogenic bacteria holds great potential for real-time evaluation and detection protocols for food risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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25 pages, 5516 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Review of Electrochemical Biosensors for Food Safety Detection

by Ke Wang, Xiaogang Lin, Maoxiao Zhang, Yu Li, Chunfeng Luo and Jayne Wu

Biosensors 2022, 12(11), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12110959 - 02 Nov 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5774

Abstract

Food safety issues are directly related to people’s quality of life, so there is a need to develop efficient and reliable food contaminants’ detection devices to ensure the safety and quality of food. Electrochemical biosensors have the significant advantages of miniaturization, low cost, [...] Read more.

Food safety issues are directly related to people’s quality of life, so there is a need to develop efficient and reliable food contaminants’ detection devices to ensure the safety and quality of food. Electrochemical biosensors have the significant advantages of miniaturization, low cost, high sensitivity, high selectivity, rapid detection, and low detection limits using small amounts of samples, which are expected to enable on-site analysis of food products. In this paper, the latest electrochemical biosensors for the detection of biological contaminants, chemical contaminants, and genetically modified crops are reviewed based on the analytes of interest, electrode materials and modification methods, electrochemical methods, and detection limits. This review shows that electrochemical biosensors are poised to provide miniaturized, specific, selective, fast detection, and high-sensitivity sensor platforms for food safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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14 pages, 1701 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Towards Development of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors for Food and Drug Safety: Progress and Trends

by Shuhong Zhou, Chen Liu, Jianguo Lin, Zhi Zhu, Bing Hu and Long Wu

Biosensors 2022, 12(6), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12060369 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2547

Abstract

Due to their advantages of good flexibility, low cost, simple operations, and small equipment size, electrochemical sensors have been commonly employed in food safety. However, when they are applied to detect various food or drug samples, their stability and specificity can be greatly [...] Read more.

Due to their advantages of good flexibility, low cost, simple operations, and small equipment size, electrochemical sensors have been commonly employed in food safety. However, when they are applied to detect various food or drug samples, their stability and specificity can be greatly influenced by the complex matrix. By combining electrochemical sensors with molecular imprinting techniques (MIT), they will be endowed with new functions of specific recognition and separation, which make them powerful tools in analytical fields. MIT-based electrochemical sensors (MIECs) require preparing or modifying molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on the electrode surface. In this review, we explored different MIECs regarding the design, working principle and functions. Additionally, the applications of MIECs in food and drug safety were discussed, as well as the challenges and prospects for developing new electrochemical methods. The strengths and weaknesses of MIECs including low stability and electrode fouling are discussed to indicate the research direction for future electrochemical sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Applications for Food Safety)

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