The strategy to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by “raise-high” together with “step-down”: a review on the optical rapid analysis techniques for food contaminants

Abstract

Background

Food contaminants are serious threats to food safety, so the establishment of rapid and accurate analysis methods is beneficial to safeguard human health. Optical analytical techniques have drawn considerable attention in several fields due to their various advantages, but the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is affected by dis-satisfactory signal value, high background interference and self-luminescence of the substrate, which significantly compromises the practical effectiveness of the detection process. Various strategies have been used to solve these problems.

Scope and approach

In this review, the strategies developing optical analytical techniques with high SNR are summarized, with sensitivity enhancement and background noise reduction. The latest advances in food contaminants detection applications are also overviewed. Emphasis was placed on the application of nanomaterials and some low background luminescence mechanisms. The current challenges and future directions of optical analysis techniques with high SNR are discussed.

Key findings and conclusions

With increasing researches on luminescence mechanism and novel materials with excellent luminescence properties, a number of optical analysis methods with high SNR able to satisfy the demand of trace detection have been proposed. Nanomaterials play an irreplaceable role in improving the SNR. The coupling of multiple excellent luminescence mechanisms has also become a powerful way to improve the sensitivity and accuracy. This will inspire more innovative research on the development of highly sensitive methods for food contaminants detection.