Chemical antifouling strategies in sensors for food analysis: A review

Abstract

Surface biofouling induced by the undesired nonspecific adsorption of foulants (e.g., coexisting proteins and cells) in food matrices is a major issue of sensors for food analysis, hindering their reliability and accuracy of sensing. This issue can be addressed by developing antifouling strategies to prevent or alleviate nonspecific binding. Chemical antifouling strategies involve the use of chemical modifiers (i.e., antifouling materials) to strongly hydrate the surface and reduce surface biofouling. Through appropriate immobilization approaches, antifouling materials can be tethered onto sensors to form antifouling surfaces with well‐ordered structures, balanced surface charges, and appropriate surface density and thickness. A rational antifouling surface can reduce the matrix effect, simplify sample pretreatment, and improve analytical performance. This review summarizes recent developments in chemical antifouling strategies in sensing. Surface antifouling mechanisms and common antifouling materials are described, and factors that may influence the antifouling effects of antifouling surfaces and approaches incorporating antifouling materials onto sensing surfaces are highlighted. Moreover, the specific applications of antifouling sensors in food analysis are introduced. Finally, we provide an outlook on future developments in antifouling sensors for food analysis.

Electrochemical sensing of B-complex vitamins: current challenges and future prospects with microfluidic integration

“…The presence of interfering species can adversely affect selectivity and sensitivity, and the capture of small-molecule analytes in complex food matrices and the signal transduction of sensing surface changes are challenging for sensors. 81 Many real samples contain complex matrices that can interfere with the electrochemical measurements of vitamins. Strategies such as sample pretreatment, 82 electrode surface modifications, 83 and the use of suitable mediators 84,85 have been explored to mitigate interference effects.…”

“… 94 The formation of biofilms, oxidation products, or adsorbed species on the electrode surface can obstruct the electron transfer process, resulting in a degraded analytical performance. 81 Matrix components might lead to fouling of the electrode surface, thus passivating them, masking the target analytes, or altering the electrochemical behavior. 36 Scientists need to explore novel surface modification techniques and electrode materials to mitigate fouling effects and extend the operational lifetime of electrochemical sensors.…”

Engineering an Antifouling Electrochemical Sensing Platform Based on an All-in-One Peptide and a Hierarchical β-Bi2O3–Au Microsphere for Vancomycin Detection in Food

“…In practice, this process is often complex and time-consuming. Therefore, some strategies to improve the antifouling performance of the sensor itself to resist fouling while retaining specific binding toward analytes with minimal sample pretreatment are urgently needed . The introduction of antifouling materials to sensors to design antifouling surfaces is an effective way to alleviate nonspecific binding .…”

“…Therefore, some strategies to improve the antifouling performance of the sensor itself to resist fouling while retaining specific binding toward analytes with minimal sample pretreatment are urgently needed. 8 The introduction of antifouling materials to sensors to design antifouling surfaces is an effective way to alleviate nonspecific binding. 9 Thus, far, three widely accepted surface antifouling mechanisms (hydration layer formation, 10 steric hindrance, 11 and electrostatic repulsion 12 ) have been used to guide antifouling surface design.…”