Biosensors for Detecting Food Contaminants—An Overview

Food safety is a pressing global concern due to the risks posed by contaminants such as pesticide residues, heavy metals, allergens, mycotoxins, and pathogenic microorganisms. While accurate, traditional detection methods like ELISA, HPLC, and mass spectrometry are often time-consuming and resource-intensive, highlighting the need for innovative alternatives. Biosensors based on biological recognition elements such as enzymes, antibodies, and aptamers, offer fast, sensitive, and cost-effective solutions. Using transduction mechanisms like electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric, and thermal systems, biosensors provide versatile tools for detecting contaminants. Advances in DNAzyme- and aptamer-based technologies enable the precise detection of heavy metals, while enzyme- and protein-based biosensors monitor metal-induced changes in biological activity. Innovations like microbial biosensors and DNA-modified electrodes enhance detection accuracy. Biosensors are also highly effective in identifying pesticide residues, allergens, mycotoxins, and pathogens through immunological, enzymatic, and nucleic acid-based techniques. The integration of nanomaterials and bioelectronics has significantly improved the sensitivity and performance of biosensors. By facilitating real-time, on-site monitoring, these devices address the limitations of conventional methods to ensure food quality and regulatory compliance. This review highlights the transformative role of biosensors and how biosensors are improved by emerging technologies in food contamination detection, emphasizing their potential to mitigate public health risks and enhance food safety throughout the supply chain.