Gold Nanoparticle-based Sensors in Food Safety Applications

At present, food industries are considering rapid and reliable methods for maintaining quality and safety of foods for complying with the demands of regulatory authorities. Novel sensing methods like nanosensors are being used as effective methods of sensing for various applications in the food industries. Extensive research has been carried out on the gold nanoparticles (AuNP) for nanosensing applications. The use of its unique properties such as aggregation, fluorescence quenching, broad absorption at surface plasmon band, and biocompatibility is finding its place ensuring food safety. They hold the key to replace the existing conventional method used for detection of contaminants, pesticides, heavy metals, adulterants and other contaminants which are major threat to safety of food. This review provides an insight about research on the development of AuNP-based nanosensors and nanobiosensors for various applications in food industry. In addition, regulatory concerns as well as challenges and opportunities related to adoption of nanosensors in the field of food safety have been briefly discussed.