Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Biosensors for Pesticide Detection in Foods

Abstract

Biosensors are a simple, low-cost, and reliable way to detect pesticides in food matrices to ensure consumer food safety. This systematic review lists which nanomaterials, biorecognition materials, transduction methods, pesticides, and foods have recently been studied with biosensors associated with analytical performance. A systematic search was performed in the Scopus (n = 388), Web of Science (n = 790), and Science Direct (n = 181) databases over the period 2016–2021. After checking the eligibility criteria, 57 articles were considered in this study. The most common use of nanomaterials (NMs) in these selected studies is noble metals in isolation, such as gold and silver, with 8.47% and 6.68%, respectively, followed by carbon-based NMs, with 20.34%, and nanohybrids, with 47.45%, which combine two or more NMs, uniting unique properties of each material involved, especially the noble metals. Regarding the types of transducers, the most used were electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric, representing 71.18%, 13.55%, and 8.47%, respectively. The sensitivity of the biosensor is directly connected to the choice of NM and transducer. All biosensors developed in the selected investigations had a limit of detection (LODs) lower than the Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limit and were efficient in detecting pesticides in food. The pesticides malathion, chlorpyrifos, and paraoxon have received the greatest attention for their effects on various food matrices, primarily fruits, vegetables, and their derivatives. Finally, we discuss studies that used biosensor detection systems devices and those that could detect multi-residues in the field as a low-cost and rapid technique, particularly in areas with limited resources.

Nanomaterials for Potential Detection and Remediation: A Review of Their Analytical and Environmental Applications

“…One of the most prominent topics under study nowadays is electrochemical biosensors, consisting of enzymes, polymers, or aptamers, which have been widely studied to detect agrochemicals [63][64][65]. Further, these biosensors can also be modified with NPs or nanomaterials where a synergic effect might occur, enhancing their detection times and sensibility towards the desired analyte [66,67].…”

Study on Rapid Detection of Pesticide Residues in Shanghaiqing Based on Analyzing Near-Infrared Microscopic Images

“…Various biosensors are being applied to detect pesticide residue rapidly [ 10 ]. For example, Ana et al summarized 57 articles studying nanomaterial-based biosensors for pesticide detection in foods [ 11 ]; they found that all biosensors developed in the selected investigations had a limit of detection (LODs), lower than the Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limit, and were efficient in detecting pesticides in food. Ulas et al developed SMART (specific, measurable, accurate, robust, and time-saving) biosensors [ 12 ] which can detect toxic small molecules, such as antibiotics, pesticides, and insecticides, to overcome the shortcomings of traditional HPLC and MS, such as long sample preparation time and cumbersome instruments.…”

Rapid Detection of Malathion, Phoxim and Thiram on Orange Surfaces Using Ag Nanoparticle Modified PDMS as Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrate

“…To better protect humans and livestock from the harmful effects of pesticides, it is urgently needed to develop effective analytical methods, especially those that can target mixed pesticides [ 11 ]. So far, malathion, phoxim, and thiram in agricultural products can be accurately measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [ 12 ], gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS) [ 13 ], and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) [ 14 ].…”