Revealing the nano-empowered fluorescent sensor arrays for the food safety point-of-care testing: An overview of mechanism and applications

Background

Amid growing concerns over health issues and global climate change, the rapid development of the food industry has intensified demand for efficient food quality detection technologies. Recently, with the advantages of sensitivity, rapidity, high-throughout, and low cost, nanosensor arrays have demonstrated significant potential in on-site field detection of food quality. These systems enable comprehensive multi-analyte screening through non-specific recognition coupled with machine learning analysis, effectively addressing emerging food safety risks. By integrating diverse fluorescent nanoreceptors, nanosensor arrays enhance both selectivity and accuracy while maintaining while maintain high sensitivity and a rapid response capability.

Scope and approach

This work comprehensively reviews fluorescent nanosensor arrays for food quality detection, addressing their development, fabrication, sensing mechanisms, and recent progress. Diverse fluorescent nanoreceptors, including quantum dots, nanoclusters, aggregation-induced emission materials, and metal-organic frameworks, are evaluated in detail, with their sensing mechanisms for generating unique fluorescent responses thoroughly analyzed. Challenges and future prospects are presented to advance practical implementation in the food industry.

Key findings and conclusions

Accordingly, this review thoroughly examines how fluorescent nanosensor arrays enhance food quality detection efficiency, aiming to advance their implementation in the food industry.