Receptor-based electrochemical biosensors for the detection of contaminants in food products
Abstract
Different types of contaminants (e.g., pesticides, veterinary drugs) can be found in food products intended for human consumption (e.g., water, food from animal or plant origin). The risks for the consumers' health are multiple (e.g., endocrine disruptor's effect, carcinogenic effect, allergic risks). The detection of contaminants in food products is the first critical step of the control. Conventional screening methods could be bioassays, immunological methods, or physicochemical methods. Biosensors are identified as innovative screening methods. Electrochemical biosensors make it possible to develop a promising and economically interesting approach. Technological advances (e.g., nanomaterials, microfluidics) improved the methods' sensitivity.