Advancing food safety with SERS: The role of noble metal nanomaterials in detecting food contaminants

Abstract

Background

Food contaminants, such as harmful microbes, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and illegal additives, are a significant public health concern. Traditional detection methods are effective but often slow and require complex equipment, which limits their use in real-time monitoring and rapid response. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that can provide rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of food contaminants.

Scope and approach

This review examines the use of noble metal nanomaterials (NMNs) in food safety, particularly in Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for detecting various contaminants. It focuses on the synthesis, properties, and application of NMNs, which have unique optical properties like localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) that enhance Raman scattering. The review also discusses the integration of NMNs into SERS substrates and their application in detecting food contaminants, as well as future perspectives and challenges.

Key findings and conclusions

NMNs provide advantages in SERS techniques, such as a high surface-to-volume ratio that creates hot spots for enhanced Raman signals, and tunable size, shape, and composition for optimized performance. New synthesis methods allow for large-scale production and integration into practical detection systems. NMNs in SERS can detect contaminants at much lower concentrations than conventional methods. However, there are challenges regarding the reproducibility and stability of SERS substrates and the development of robust analytical protocols for complex food matrices. Future research may explore novel nanostructures, miniaturized SERS sensors, integration with machine learning, and expanding the range of detectable contaminants and toxins.