Review of the Application of Optical Nanosensors in Food Safety Detection

Abstract

This review paper delves into the application of optical nanosensors in food safety detection, highlighting their significance amidst escalating concerns over food contamination. Optical nanosensors, leveraging the optical properties of nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, and carbon dots, offer high sensitivity and selectivity for detecting foodborne contaminants. The paper discusses the importance of food safety, the challenges of traditional detection methods, and how nanosensors address these issues with their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid response. It covers the principles of optical nanosensors, including Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), and their synthesis methods. The review also explores the application of these sensors in detecting heavy metals, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, food additives, microbial contamination, gluten, and furfural. Despite their advantages, challenges such as stability cost, and complexity in sample detection are discussed. The paper concludes with future trends, including the development of nanomaterials, multitarget detection technologies, portable devices, and the integration of smart sensors with IoT for real-time food safety monitoring.