Abstract
Nanomaterial-based sensing approaches that incorporate different types of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructures in conjunction with natural or synthetic receptors as molecular recognition elements provide opportunities for the design of sensitive and selective assays for rapid detection of contaminants. This review summarizes recent advancements over the past ten years in the development of nanotechnology-enabled sensors and systems for capture and detection of pathogens. The most common types of nanostructures and NPs, their modification with receptor molecules and integration to produce viable sensing systems with biorecognition, amplification and signal readout are discussed. Examples of all-in-one systems that combine multifunctional properties for capture, separation, inactivation and detection are also provided. Current trends in the development of low-cost instrumentation for rapid assessment of food contamination are discussed as well as challenges for practical implementation and directions for future research.
Highlights
Continued interest in human health and food safety has driven the innovation in the development of technology for the rapid assessment of toxicity risks due to presence of harmful molecules and toxins affecting the quality of food products and the environment
The aim of this review is to provide a critical overview of the different types of bio-functionalized nanomaterials that can be used to develop smart multifunctional sensors and labels for rapid capture, detection and screening of pathogens and toxins
The combination of nanotechnology with biosciences, electronics and software engineering has enabled the development of novel systems that are capable of providing selective and specific information on the presence and amount of pathogens and toxins [22]
Summary
Continued interest in human health and food safety has driven the innovation in the development of technology for the rapid assessment of toxicity risks due to presence of harmful molecules and toxins affecting the quality of food products and the environment. The development of sensors and smart labels as indicators of toxicity and multifunctional systems that combine capture, detection and inactivation functions has recently become an important area of research [18,19,20] Such properties can be achieved by integrating nanosized materials with unique multifunctional properties [21]. The aim of this review is to provide a critical overview of the different types of bio-functionalized nanomaterials that can be used to develop smart multifunctional sensors and labels for rapid capture, detection and screening of pathogens and toxins. We discuss their assembly in portable sensing platforms and provide examples of real world applications. Opportunities of these technologies as well as possible risks and challenges for implementation are discussed
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