Recent Biosensors for Food Analysis in Brazil and Italy

Abstract

The importance of safe and high-quality food products is doubtless and consumer demand for increased food quality and safety assurances moves down the chain with retailers and service providers asking suppliers and producers to provide verifiable proof that robust food quality and safety control systems have been effectively implemented. Food analysis needs rapid and reliable methods to ensure the quality of products and process control. Food quality control is essential both for consumer protection and also for food industry. Nowadays, the convergence of new technologies, including biotechnology, nanotechnology, and electronic technology, has opened new horizons in development of biosensors. These devices offer advantages as alternatives to conventional methods because they enable real-time detection, portability, and fast laboratory or in-field analysis. This contribution presents a review about the development and application of biosensor technology in foods, and future trends in Brazil and Italy.