Nanomaterial-based sensors for the detection of pathogens and microbial toxins in the food industry; a review on recent progress

Nowadays, because of the higher people's awareness for safe and healthy food consumption, there is a proliferating request to keep food products versus the hazardous effect of pathogens and harmful microbial metabolites. Indeed, these organisms and their toxins create a high risk for food safety and known as a crucial menace for public health due to the ability of triggering foodborne infections/intoxications. Common procedures have high cost for analyses, need a lot of time, are effortful and need new tools along with skilled staff. Therefore, to come cross such difficulties, it is essential to expand sensing methods including bio/nanosensors for detections and evaluations, which are quick, trustworthy, economical and beneficial. Nanosensors for detection of microorganisms and their toxins have been hugely probed with the emrging fields of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. Nanomaterial-based sensors such as magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, peptide nanotubes, quantum dots, etc are the most common sensors with broad application for detection of pathogens and their toxins; they have been discussed completely in this review. Nevertheless, challenges stay for the easy and simple fabrication of nanosensors and their functional application in food matrices. Hence, developments and innovation in sensing process will be a movement in the near future.

Automated summary

With the increasing awareness of food safety, there is a growing demand for efficient and affordable sensing methods for the detection of pathogens and toxins in food products. Nanosensors offer promising solutions with their quick and reliable detection capabilities, although challenges remain in their fabrication and practical application.