Smart packaging biosensors for real-time pesticide detection in food: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Smart packaging biosensors have emerged as a promising approach for the real-time detection of pesticide residues in food products. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in biosensor technologies integrated into food packaging systems to enhance the monitoring of food safety and quality. These biosensors employ biorecognition elements to selectively detect and quantify pesticide residues. By integrating principles of biotechnology and nanotechnology, they enable rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection. In addition, many systems support wireless data transmission, allowing real-time monitoring of pesticide levels. To improve detection performance, various nanomaterials have been incorporated into biosensor design, including silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, graphene, and graphene quantum dots. These materials enhance sensitivity, stability, and signal response. Different detection techniques have been developed, such as colorimetric, fluorescent, and electrochemical methods. These approaches have demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity, particularly for detecting organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in fruits, vegetables, juices, and water samples. A bibliometric analysis of 259 publications was conducted using Tableau and VOSviewer to evaluate global research trends. The results indicate that China leads in smart packaging research, followed by India, the United States, Turkey, and Iran. Overall, the integration of biosensors into smart packaging systems represents a promising strategy to enhance food safety and quality monitoring. Nevertheless, key challenges remain, including long-term stability, large-scale production, cost constraints, and regulatory standardization, which must be overcome to achieve broader industrial adoption.

Access to Document

Other files and links

• Link to publication in Scopus
• Open Access Version Available

Fingerprint