Nanomaterials-based biosensors for food and feed application

Food contamination is one of the major health concerns worldwide. Issues of adulterants and contaminants possess a significant challenge in food and feed industry. The current conventional methods are complex, laborious, and expensive; therefore, there is a need to develop a rapid, stable, and sensitive method to detect contaminants in food and feed. Utilization of smart nanomaterials in sensing may play an important role in contaminant monitoring. The sensors provide an efficient, sensitive, and portable detection method, which overcomes the limitation of traditional techniques. This chapter summarizes the recent research and development of different nanomaterials in biosensors for real-time monitoring and detection of food and feed contaminants. The chapter covers smart nanomaterials-based biosensors used for detection of food toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, and inorganic and illegal additives. In each category, different biosensing strategies like electrochemical, colorimetric, optical, and fluorescent techniques are discussed. A section discusses the use of portable smart sensors, including smartphone-based sensor, lateral flow immunoassays, and electronic nose sensor. These sensors, combined with smart materials and innovations in technology, offer a real-time solution to challenges in monitoring contaminants. Our aim of the chapter is to highlight the different smart materials tailored to different application and advancement of technology in food and feed industry.