Nanosensors for Food and Agriculture

Abstract

Food and Agriculture is a major sector impacting the economic growth of a developing country. Food industry includes agriculture practices of growing crops, raising livestock and sea foods, food processing and packaging, regulating production and distribution. Agriculture comprises farming, forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, beekeeping, and mushroom cultivation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) about 20-45% of plant, meat and fish products are lost or wasted, amounting for instance to 286 million tons of cereals products in industriallized countries. Therefore, at all stages of food production there is a need to monitor the quality of products in order to ensure food safety and commercial viability. Here we review nanosensors and nanobiosensors used in food and agricultural sectors. Nanomaterials comprise metal nanoparticles, metal nanoclusters, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal and carbon quantum dots, graphene, carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites. Sensors include electrochemical nanosensors, optical nanosensors, electronic nose and electronic tongue, nano-barcode technology and wireless nanosensors. The sensitivity of these sensors is due to unique electrochemical, optical, Raman, catalytic and super-paramagnetic properties. They can detect food contaminants such as preservatives, antibiotics, heavy metal ions, toxins, microbial load and pathogens. They can also monitor temperature, traceability, humidity, gas and aroma of food stuff.