Enhancing Food Contaminants Detection by Novel Responsive Gate Sensors: Strategies, Materials and Applications

Abstract

Food contaminants pose a major threat to public health, underscoring the need for rapid, simple, and high-sensitivity analytical methods. Responsive gating strategies have emerged as a promising approach due to their ability to selectively release or bind signal-transducing substances in response to specific stimuli, generating detectable signals for accurate identification of contaminants. Recent advances have enabled the integration of these strategies into novel biosensors, significantly improving food safety monitoring. This review highlights the underlying principles of responsive gate systems, the materials used in their construction, and their application in detecting mycotoxins, foodborne pathogens, pesticide residues, antibiotics, and heavy metals. These sensors offer key advantages such as ease of use, exceptional stability, sensitivity, and precision, supporting simultaneous measurement through multiple sensing mechanisms and broad target recognition through gatekeeper replacement. Furthermore, their compatibility with portable devices like pH meters and personal glucose meters facilitates real-time, on-site monitoring, advancing the development of practical tools for ensuring food safety.