Sensors for Food Quality Monitoring

Abstract

Recently, there are gradually increasing demands of rapid, highly sensitive, and very selective methods in food safety and environmental monitoring. In response to this concern, conventional and nanotechnology-based biosensors have arisen as very effective and promising tool in analytical approach. It results in accurate chemical data in no time with cost-effective manner. This chapter presented herein aims to illustrate the type and principle of biosensors and their applications in food and environment monitoring. After briefly reviewing the different types of bio-elements (enzyme, antigen, antibody, DNA, aptamers, microbial cells) and transducers (electrochemical, optical, thermal, and mass-based), we have summarized different combinations of different receptors and transducers to design effective biosensors. Later in this chapter, we have elaborated the use of conventional biosensors as well as nanobiosensors in (1) quantitative detection of foodborne microorganism in eatable items, (2) pesticide detection in agriculture crops and environment, (3) toxin detection in food and water resources, and (4) xanthine and polyphenol detection in food, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This chapter further tries to briefly summarize commercially available biosensors along with their manufacturer detail in food and environment monitoring. At last, conclusion, future challenges, and perspectives of biosensor in food quality management were explained in detail to give a strong basis for the further research in this area.